Alemu Gebrie|Animut Alebel
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and predictors of anemia among children in Ethiopia
Debre Markos University|Debre Markos University
anemia widespread public health problem characterized decrease hemoglobin concentration red blood cell volume established cutoff value developing countries including ethiopia half children estimated anemic therefore purpose study determine pooled prevalence anemia predictor factors among children ethiopiathe studies identified explicit exhaustive search reputable databases pubmed google scholar science direct embase cochrane library hand search reference lists previous prevalence studies retrieve related articles thirtynine studies selected based comprehensive list inclusion exclusion criteria data extracted using standardized pretested data extraction checklist analysis done using stata 14 statistical software assess heterogeneity cochrane q test statistic i2 tests used analysis considerable heterogeneity observed therefore random effect metaanalysis model used estimate pooled prevalence anemia moreover predictor factors anemia examinedthe forest plot 39 included studies revealed overall pooled prevalence anemia among children ethiopia 344 95 ci 291 397 subgroup analysis showed highest anemia prevalence observed somali region prevalence 494 95 ci 209 778 also anemia children found highest age group less five years 452 95 ci 396508 low literacy families 13 95 ci 11 17 low family socioeconomic status 19 95 ci 113013 housewife mothers job 15 95 ci 14 19 rural residence 33 95 ci 1761 found predictors anemia among childrenin study one three children anemic ethiopia moderate public health problem children study low literacy low socioeconomic status well rural residence families helminthic infection children found predictors anemia children community schoolbased interventions strengthened improve problem