Using Iron Bio-Fortified Beans To Control Iron Deficiency Anaemia Among Children 6-59 Months In Rural Uganda

Abstract

\n Objectives To establish the association between consumption of iron bio-fortified beans and iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 6-59 months in Isingiro district rural Uganda.Design A cross sectional study was conducted in Isingiro District, Western Uganda in May 2019 among 499 participants (Child- mothers). Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on the child health status, demographics as well as dietary history. In addition, blood samples were collected from a finger prick and tested for heamoglobin levels using hemocue 301 and data was analysed using STATA Setting This was a community based study in rural Uganda.Participants A total of 499 children aged 6-59 months and their mothers/main caretakers in Isingiro district rural Uganda were recruited. Results Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was at 39.3% while prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was 26.3%. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was protective against iron deficiency anaemia (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio = 0.66, 95% CI 0.46, 0.96), dietary diversity (APR= 0.57, 95% CI 0.33, 0.86), mothers’ occupation (APR= 0.62, 95% CI 0.43, 0.90), child age (APR= 0.38, 95% CI 0.18, 0.84).Conclusions This study found that, more than a third of the participants were consuming iron bio-fortified beans and more than a quarter of the participants suffered from iron deficiency anaemia with most cases being mild anaemia. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was associated with mother’s occupation and main source of beans. Consumption of iron bio-fortified beans was associated with prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 6-59months and we are not able to conclude that it was protective against anaemia because of the study design. There were other factors that were associated with iron deficiency anaemia such as, dietary diversity, child age, and mother’s occupation. Therefore from this study we conclude that reducing anaemia in this study area requires a multi sectoral approach so as to improve dietary diversity and livelihoods.