Prevalência, tendência temporal e fatores associados à anemia em crianças quilombolas de Alagoas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trend in the prevalence of anemia in children from quilombola communities in Alagoas. This is a time series study, based on two household surveys carried out in 2008 (n = 950) and 2018 (n = 426), involving a representative sample of children aged six to 59 months. Anemia was diagnosed by hemoglobin concentration <110g / L in capillary blood (HemoCue®). The prevalences between the two surveys were described in percentages and the measure of association was the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% CI, calculated by Poisson regression with robust variance. The prevalence of anemia in 2008 and 2018 was 53.0% (95% CI: 49.8-56.1) and 38.0% (95% CI: 33.4-42.7), respectively, representing a decline of 28% (PR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.63-0.82). In the comparison according to age groups, significant differences were observed, with higher values among children under 24 months: 72.0% vs 44.0% in 2008 (PR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.47-1 , 83) and 54.8% vs 28.2% in 2018 (PR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.53-2.46). As for sex, there was no statistical difference in the 2008 survey, but in 2018 boys were more affected than girls: 43.8% vs 32.4% (PR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.00-1 , 84). It is concluded that the prevalence of anemia has been declining in recent years. However, it remains a relevant public health problem among children in the quilombola communities of Alagoas, especially among children under two years of age. Managers and health professionals should be attentive to the data presented here in order to implement care measures, given the damage caused by anemia to child health.