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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 19, No. 2, 2019, pp. 14303-14319
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Bioline Code: nd19030
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2019, pp. 14303-14319
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ANAEMIA AMONG BREASTFEEDING INFANTS (0-6 MONTHS) AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN A LOW INCOME URBAN SETTING OF KENYA
Gacheru, KJ; Mwangi, AM & Abong’, GO
Abstract
Controversies surrounding exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and
the risk of developing anaemia exist. Studies worldwide have indicated uncertainties on
the way forward given the World Health Organization’s firm stand on exclusive
breastfeeding as the most appropriate practice for infants less than six months old. In
Kenya, research on anaemia status of infants below six months old is scanty. The main
objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia and its associated
factors among breastfeeding infants 0-6 months old in Kangemi Slums, Kenya. One
hundred and thirty nine (139) breastfeeding infants aged 0-6 months and their
respective mothers were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Infants’ blood was
drawn from the heel while mothers’ blood was from a finger prick. Anaemia was
assessed using HemoCue® (Hemo-control, EKF-diagnostic GmbH,
Barleben/Magdeburg, Germany) and defined as haemoglobin levels <11.0 and
<12.0g/dl for infants and mothers, respectively. Logistic regression was used to model
the associations. Anaemia prevalence (35.3%) was of moderate public health
significance and was not statistically different between exclusively (36.8%) and non-exclusively
(28%) breastfed infants (χ2=0.702, 1df, p=0.402). There was no significant
difference in mean haemoglobin levels between infants exclusively and those non-exclusively
breastfed (t=-1.040, p=0.300). A reduced estimated relative risk of anaemia
(OR=0.713, 0.95 CI: 0.34-1.50) was observed among infants <4 months versus 4-6
months old. Key factors of significant positive association with anaemia among the
infants included maternal nutritional status (Body Mass Index (p=0.015), haemoglobin
levels (p=0.018)) and proportion of household income spent on food (p=0.026). This
study concluded that there is a likelihood of exclusively breastfed infants below 6
months to be anaemic in Kenya to the extent of moderate public health significance and
special attention is warranted. The study reveals maternal nutritional status,
haemoglobin levels and proportion of household income as key predictors of anaemia
in infants.
Keywords
anaemia; exclusive breastfeeding; infants; low income; associated factors
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