Prevalence of anaemia among under five children of brick-kiln migratory labourers among rural community

Objectives To study the prevalence of anaemia among under-five children of brick-kiln migratory labourers in rural North India. Material and Methods This was a secondary data analysis to estimate the prevalence of anaemia among under-five children of brick-kiln migratory labourers in a rural community of North India. The data of under five children residing in total 56 brick kiln of the study area were included in the study. Selected variables like age, sex, total family members, birth order of child were recorded and capillary blood haemoglobin level estimated using a portable haemoglobinometer (True Hb). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis was done to find the prevalence patterns and any association with the selected predictor variables. Results Total 304 records were identified with almost equal male-female ratio. Most of them were in the age group of 2-3 years. The overall anaemia prevalence was 75%, with a 48.4% of moderate and 6.2% severe anaemia. Females had significantly higher prevalence of moderate (54.3%) and severe (7.3%) category anaemia. The mean haemoglobin level was lower in females (9.4 g/dL) than males (9.8 g/dL, p = 0.045). The peak age group of moderate anaemia in females was 13-24 months of age and severe anaemia at 25-36 months. The female children had 2.3 times higher odds of having moderate anaemia (p:0.005). Conclusion Anaemia among under-five children in this brick-kiln migrant community was alarmingly high, particularly affecting female children. The maximum prevalence of having anaemia was around the age of 2 years. However, a larger study with more detailed evaluation is recommended to explore further.