Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children up to 5 years of age in African countries: A review of the literature

Authors

  • Celisa Sanches Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, School of Agriculture https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8163-1687
  • Paula Pinto Instituto Politécnico de Santarém – Escola Superior Agrária; Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS); Life Quality Research Centre, Santarém (CIEQV)
  • Rui Jorge Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico de Leiria; Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém; Life Quality Research Centre (LQRC-CIEQV); ciTechCare, Center of Innovative Care and Health Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5261-2688

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25746/ruiips.v11.i3.32471

Keywords:

Iron deficiency, Iron deficiency anemia, Africa, Children

Abstract

Introduction: Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia remain a global public health challenge, with a higher prevalence in children. In the first few months of life, iron deficiency can have long-term effects on cognitive development.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency and its associated factors in children under 5 years old in Africa.
Methodology: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published between 2013 and 2023 that responded to the objective of this review.

Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency ranged from 5.9% to 44.4% and of iron deficiency anemia the values are situated between 3.4 to 29.6%. The most cited risk factors were a low-iron diet, household size and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions: Studies performed in the last 10 years about prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in African countries are scarce, with the available literature showing variable and tendendically high prevalences. More studies are needed to have a more complete picture of the real problem of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in Africa.

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Published

2023-12-31

How to Cite

Sanches, C., Pinto, P., & Jorge, R. (2023). Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children up to 5 years of age in African countries: A review of the literature. Revista Da UI_IPSantarém, 11(3), 64–65. https://doi.org/10.25746/ruiips.v11.i3.32471

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2023): Proceedings of the International Conference IMPACT SCIENCE’23

Section

Abstract

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Celisa Sanches, Paula Pinto, Rui Jorge

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