Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and associated factors among preterm infants aged 3–6 months attending clinics in Dodoma, Tanzania: a facility-based cross-sectional study
- 1Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
- 2Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Muhimbili National Hospital Mloganzila, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 3Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
Abstract
Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) among preterm infants is a global public health problem due to its effects on development, immunity and general growth that may be irreversible. Despite the high burden of preterm births in Tanzania the prevalence and factors associated with Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) among preterm infants remain relatively understudied. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and associated factors among preterm infants aged 3–6 Months attending clinics in Dodoma, Tanzania.
Methods: A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st August, 2023 to 1st January, 2024, among 190 preterm infants who attended clinics in Dodoma. A structured questionnaire adopted from previous study was used to collect data from study participants. A univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess the strength of association between variables. The final results from the binary logistic regression model were presented using Adjusted Odd's Ratio (AOR), 95% Confidence Interval (CI), p < 0.05. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Science IBM SPSS version 26.
Results: The prevalence of IDA among preterm infants was 11.58%. Factors significantly associated with IDA included very low birth weight (<1.5 kg) (AOR = 6.91, 95% CI: 1.47–32.36, p = 0.014), lack of iron supplementation (AOR = 6.28, 95% CI: 1.05–37.76, p = 0.045), multiple pregnant (AOR = 6.85, 95% CI: 1.69–27.71, p = 0.007), and maternal haemoglobin before delivery (AOR = 12.00, 95% CI: 2.70–53.34, p = 0.001).
Conclusion: IDA remains an important concern among preterm infants in Dodoma. Strengthening iron supplementation and early identification of high-risk infants, particularly those with very low birth weight, multiple gestation, or maternal anaemia, may help reduce the burden of IDA.
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BibTeX
@article{mchwampaka2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and associated factors among preterm infants aged 3–6 months attending clinics in Dodoma, Tanzania: a facility-based cross-sectional study}},
author = {Christer Mchwampaka and Dina Mahamba and Shakilu Jumanne and Mwanaidi Amiri Msuya and Shubi Matovelo},
journal = {Frontiers in Pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fped.2026.1913886},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2026.1913886},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and associated factors among preterm infants aged 3–6 months attending clinics in Dodoma, Tanzania: a facility-based cross-sectional study
AU - Christer Mchwampaka
AU - Dina Mahamba
AU - Shakilu Jumanne
AU - Mwanaidi Amiri Msuya
AU - Shubi Matovelo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Pediatrics
DO - 10.3389/fped.2026.1913886
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2026.1913886
AB - Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) among preterm infants is a global public health problem due to its effects on development, immunity and general growth that may be irreversible. Despite the high burden of preterm births in Tanzania the prevalence and factors associated with Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) among preterm infants remain relatively understudied. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and associated factors among preterm infants aged 3–6 Months attending clinics in Dodoma, Tanzania. Methods: A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st August, 2023 to 1st January, 2024, among 190 preterm infants who attended clinics in Dodoma. A structured questionnaire adopted from previous study was used to collect data from study participants. A univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess the strength of association between variables. The final results from the binary logistic regression model were presented using Adjusted Odd's Ratio (AOR), 95% Confidence Interval (CI), p < 0.05. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Science IBM SPSS version 26. Results: The prevalence of IDA among preterm infants was 11.58%. Factors significantly associated with IDA included very low birth weight (<1.5 kg) (AOR = 6.91, 95% CI: 1.47–32.36, p = 0.014), lack of iron supplementation (AOR = 6.28, 95% CI: 1.05–37.76, p = 0.045), multiple pregnant (AOR = 6.85, 95% CI: 1.69–27.71, p = 0.007), and maternal haemoglobin before delivery (AOR = 12.00, 95% CI: 2.70–53.34, p = 0.001). Conclusion: IDA remains an important concern among preterm infants in Dodoma. Strengthening iron supplementation and early identification of high-risk infants, particularly those with very low birth weight, multiple gestation, or maternal anaemia, may help reduce the burden of IDA.
SN - 2296-2360
ER -