Publications

Globally, anemia was estimated to affect about one-quarter of the entire population. Children below 5 years of agehave the highest estimated prevalence of anemia, with reports of 42% – 47% being affected in Africa. Despite variousinterventions by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, anemia prevalence still ranges from 38 to 46% to as high as 72percent in some regions of Uganda. This study sought to assess the prevalence and demographic characteristics ofanemia among children under five years old at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima City (HRRH). The studyused a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based survey at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in which 385caregivers were recruited into the study by convenient sampling technique. The study found that malaria was asignificant factor in the occurrence of anemia in under five children. The study also found that post-primaryeducation level 21(56.3%) and age of less than 30 at 192(57%) were protective factors against anemia. There was ahigh anemia prevalence in under-five children in which child malaria and malnutrition were contributing factorswhile a good caregiver education and being below 30 years were protective factors. There is a need for mass mediasensitization of masses on child anemia, its risk factors, and how it can be prevented, Post-natal mothers and othercaregivers should be advised on the nutritional requirements of children at different ages to prevent such anemiacomplications.