Burden and Determinants of Anemia Among 6 to 59-Month-old Children in the Pastoral Communities of Borana, Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Anemia represents a significant global public health issue, particularly during the early stages of childhood in developing countries, including Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital with 209 children aged 6 to 59 months. Blood samples were collected from finger/heel pricks and analyzed using the HemoCue Hb 201 analyzer. SPSS was used for data analysis. The overall prevalence of anemia was 29.7%. The study revealed that children with anemic mothers' history [AOR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.20-2.60], children of lower monthly income families [AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.19-2.53], children aged 12 to 23 months were identified as the most at risk group [AOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.22-8.68] the odds of anemia decreased as the child's age increased. Providing supplements and enhancing family income for children of anemic mothers and those aged 12 to 23 months should be prioritized to manage anemia in children under 5 in the study area.