Prevalence and risk factors of childhood anemia in urban and rural areas of West Java, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Anemia in children has become a serious global public health problem, which may lead to delayed growth and possibly have long term effects on neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of anemia among children in urban and rural areas of West Java, Indonesia.

METHODS

An observational analysis and cross-sectional study was conducted, with data was taken from secondary data of serosurvey of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) study of 560 healthy children aged 6-59 months in November 2022-January 2023 at the Garuda Primary Health Care in Bandung City as urban area and Padalarang Primary Health Care in West Bandung Region as rural area. The Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors of anemia in urban and rural areas.

RESULT: The results showed anemia was not significantly higher in urban areas (25.6%) than in rural areas (21.3%) with a p-value 0.220. In urban areas, anemia was significantly associated with children aged 6-23 months (AOR = 2.17 4; 95% CI: 1.44-3.26), stunting children (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.07-2.72) and children with parents income below regional minimum wage (AOR = 1.73 1.74; 95% CI: 1.14-2.63). In rural areas, no variables had a significant relationship with anemia.

CONCLUSION

The current study showed that children in rural and urban areas can have anemia. Further research and evaluation are needed in the detection and monitoring of risk factors through a multisectoral approach.