Prevalence and Determinants of Anaemia Among Under-Five Children in West Bengal: An Insight from the National Family Health Survey 2015-2016

Background and ObjectivesThe prevalence of anaemia during childhood is a serious health problem and a major burden of disease in India. According to NFHS-4, in India, about 58.4% of children suffered from anaemia which hugely contributes to childhood illness, morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, estimating the level of anaemia during childhood, and the significant determinants of childhood anaemia at the sub-national level, is essential for the improvement of child health status in India. The main aim of the study is to determine blood haemoglobin levels, the prevalence of anaemia among children from different socio-demographic groups and geographic regions, and the significant drivers in West Bengal.MethodsWe used NFHS-4 data for this analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Z-test were used to examine the variation in blood haemoglobin level among children from different backgrounds. Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression were used to outline significant heterogeneity in the prevalence of anaemia across different categories of background variables and to identify significant determinants of the prevalence of anaemia during childhood in West Bengal, respectively.ResultsThe study significantly identified a higher prevalence of any kind of anaemia among the children in the early age group, living with 20-29-year-old, thin, anaemic mothers, belonging to urban areas, lower economic groups, and live in the northern part of West Bengal. Besides, a higher chance of moderate or severe anaemia was noticed among smaller-sized births and the Scheduled Tribe community.ConclusionsPolicymakers must consider the major driving factors of childhood anaemia to frame adequate strategies for eliminating anaemia. The study suggests more initiatives and investments for supplying adequate nutrition and quality health and medical care to the early-aged children, undernourished mothers (thin, anaemic), ST community, and poor families in the study area. This initiative may help improve child health (Sustainable Development Goal 03) and reduce inequality (SDG 10) in health status across various socio-demographic, economic groups, and regions within the state.