Factors associated with hemoglobin level of children 6-23 months of age in Wa Municipality of Ghana

Abstract Background: Childhood anemia (hemoglobin <11.0g/dl) remains a key public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana. Anemia in early childhood has consequences on the cognitive development and growth of children. We determined the factors associated with hemoglobin (Hb) level of children 6-23 months of age in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used involving 278 mother-child pairs selected from households using multi-stage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional knowledge on child feeding practices and antenatal care (ANC) attendance data were collected using questionnaires. Hb level was measured using an automated Huma Count 5L analyzer. Factors associated with Hb level was determined using linear regression modelling. Results: More than half (53.0%) of the children were females and aged more than one year (60.4%). The mean Hb was 8.5 ± 1.5 g/dl and prevalence of anemia (Hb <11.0 g/dl) was 95.0%. There was strong evidence for increased Hb level among children whose mothers had high nutritional knowledge (β=0.61, p<0.005) and those whose mothers attended ANC for at least four (4) times during pregnancy (β=0.42, p=0.04). We found some evidence for an association between sex of child (β=0.34, p=0.06), household wealth (β= -0.75, p=0.06) and Hb level. Conclusion: Anemia in children less than two years was high in the Wa Municipality. High maternal nutritional knowledge on child feeding and more ANC attendance were associated with increased hemoglobin level of children. We recommend that maternal education on child feeding practices during ANCs should be intensified by health workers.