Prevalence and correlates of anemia among adolescents in Nepal: Findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey

Download
Author
Chalise, B; Aryal, KK; Mehta, RK; Dhimal, M; Sapkota, F; Mehata, S; Karki, KB; Madjdian, D; Patton, G; Sawyer, SDate
2018-12-14Source Title
PLoS OnePublisher
PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCEAffiliation
Paediatrics (RCH)Metadata
Show full item recordDocument Type
Journal ArticleCitations
Chalise, B., Aryal, K. K., Mehta, R. K., Dhimal, M., Sapkota, F., Mehata, S., Karki, K. B., Madjdian, D., Patton, G. & Sawyer, S. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of anemia among adolescents in Nepal: Findings from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. PLOS ONE, 13 (12), https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208878.Access Status
Open AccessAbstract
Anemia is regarded as major public health problem among adolescents in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) but there is limited primary data in many countries, including Nepal. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of anemia in a nationally representative sample of adolescents within the 2014 National Adolescent Nutrition Survey in Nepal. A total of 3780 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years were selected from a cross-sectional survey through multi-stage cluster sampling. Structured interviews, anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin assessments of capillary blood were obtained. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were undertaken to compute the Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) for socio-demographic, behavioral and cluster characteristics. The overall prevalence of anemia was 31% (95%CI: 28.2, 33.5), 38% (95%CI: 34.0, 41.8) in female and 24% (95%CI: 20.6, 27.1) in male. The likelihood of anemia was significantly higher among older adolescents (aOR 1.75, 95%CI: 1.44, 2.13), females (aOR 2.02; 95%CI: 1.57, 2.60), among those who walk barefoot (aOR 1.78, 95%CI: 1.08, 2.94), and those residing in the Terai (aOR 1.80, 95%CI: 1.18, 2.77). Food consumption from more than four food groups (aOR 0.71, 95%CI: 0.57, 0.88) was protective against anemia. In conclusion, anemia is common in Nepali adolescents. Efforts to improve the nutritional status of this high-risk age group require nutrition that focus on eating habits, sanitation, iron supplementation and the treatment of hookworm infection.
Export Reference in RIS Format
Endnote
- Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".
Refworks
- Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References