Risk factors for anemia and nutritional status in children under 5 years of age treated at the Rocafuerte Health Center, Manabí, Ecuador

Abstract

The health of children in early childhood plays a fundamental role in reaching their potential in adulthood; food insecurity is the most common cause of malnutrition and anemia. The objective was to determine risk factors for anemia and nutritional status in children aged 24 to 59 months attending the Rocafuerte Health Center in Manabí, Ecuador. A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted, including 172 healthy children of both genders who attended check-ups between October 2019 and April 2020. Nutritional status was assessed using weight/height and height/age data obtained with a portable scale and stadiometer. Anemia data were collected from laboratory tests in medical records using a registration form. The Socioeconomic Stratification Survey from the Ecuadorian Institute of Statistics and Census, along with a questionnaire on demographic information, health history, nutrition, housing, child hygiene, and maternal knowledge of anemia, were applied. Data were processed using SPSS version 25, and hypothesis testing employed Chi-square and Odds Ratio at a 95% confidence level. Alterations were found in nutritional indicators: height/age (11%), underweight (7%), excess malnutrition (8.2%); anemia (20%), and malnutrition (11%). Risk factors for anemia included gender (females: 14%, p = 0.04), sanitary conditions (adequate: 15%, p = 0.01), and knowledge of disease prevention (aware: 13%, p = 0.003). It is concluded that the most striking aspect of nutritional status was stunted growth. Additionally, the risk factor associated with anemia was maternal knowledge of the disease, and for malnutrition, personal hygiene measures.