Prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren in first grade 8 public schools in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. 2009-2010

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anemia on first grade children at public schools in Tegucigalpa, Central District.

Methodology: It is a descriptive transversal study, performed during the 2009-2010 period; the subjects of the study were all first grade children of public schools in Tegucigalpa.

The sample consisted of 453 school children; cluster sampling distributed over 8 schools in the city's perimeter. Each child was identified by name, age, sex, and school name; the average age was 6.66 years old (SD= 1.01 years old), sex rate M:F = 1.1:1.0. The automatized method ABX pentra 120 was used for hemoglobin and hematocrit measurement. The World Health Organization's anemia criteria parameters were considered: Hemoglobin (Hb) < 11.5g/dl, hematocrit < 34% for ages 5-11 years old; and for evaluation of anemia the criteria used were those of the International Nutritional Anemia Consultive Group: light anemia hb 10.0-11.9 g/dl, moderate anemia 9.9-7.0 g/dl and severe anemia hb< 7.0 g/dl. Results: The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 11.5g/dl) was 8.7% IC (95%) = 5.6% to 10.8%. It was found that 17.2% of the children had hemoglobin between 11.5 g/dl and 11.9 g/dl consistent with light anemia and only one child had hemoglobin of 8.8 g/dl considered as moderate anemia, none had severe anemia. Discussion: The anemia on school children has a direct influence on their cognitive performance and quality of life. It is an important public health problem that needs prevention and intervention; we stress the importance of recognizing its multifactorial etiology for developing effective control programmes.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i8.701

Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 8, junio 2011 pp.74-81