How is dietary diversity related to haematological status of preschool children in Ghana?

Abstract

Background: The role of dietary diversity on blood biomarkers may be significant, but the evidence is limited.

Objective: This study assessed the association between dietary diversity and haematological status of children aged 6-59 months controlling for various known confounders.

Design: The analysis in this study is based on the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health survey data.The study involved 2,388 pre-school children aged 6-59 months who constituted the sub-sample for anaemia assessment.

Results: The mean haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was 10.2 g/dl ± 1.50 (95 % CI: 10.1 to 10.3), and anaemia prevalence (Hb < 11 g/dl) among children aged 6-59 months was 66.8 % (CI: 63.7 to 69.8). In multivariable logistic regression analysis,continued breastfeeding [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.9 (95% CI: 1.19–2.91], 12–23 months of age (AOR = 2.4 (95% CI: 1.40–3.98), having fever in last two weeks (AOR = 1.7 (95% CI: 1.20–2.45, birth interval ≤ 24 months (AOR = 1.9 (1.20–2.84), and poorest wealth quintile (AOR = 2.6 (95% CI: 1.48–4.48) were positively associated with anaemia.

Conclusion: The current study showed that factors other than poor dietary diversity predicted anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Ghana.