Abstract:
The increased prevalence of iron deficiency among infants can be attributed to the
consumption of an iron deficient diet or a diet that interferes with iron absorption at the
critical time of infancy, among other factors. The gradual shift from breast milk to other
foods and liquids is a transition period which greatly contributes to iron deficiency anaemia
(IDA). The purpose of this research was to assess iron deficiency anaemia among infants
aged six to nine months in Keiyo South Sub County. The specific objectives of this study
were: to establish the prevalence of infants with iron deficiency anaemia and dietary iron
intake among infants aged 6 to 9 months. The cross sectional study design was adopted in
this survey. This study was conducted in three health facilities in Keiyo South Sub County.
The infants were selected by use of a two stage cluster sampling procedure. Systematic
random sampling was then used to select a total of 244 mothers and their infants. Eighty two
(82) infants were selected from Kamwosor sub-district hospital and eighty one (81) from
both Nyaru and Chepkorio health facilities. Interview schedules, 24-hour dietary recall and
food frequency questionnaires were used for collection of dietary iron intake. Biochemical
tests were carried out by use of the Hemo-control photochrometer at the health facilities.
Infants whose hemoglobin levels were less than 11g/dl were considered anaemic. Further,
peripheral blood smears were conducted to ascertain the type of nutritional anaemia. Data
was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software
version 17, 2009. Dietary iron intake was analyzed using the NutriSurvey 2007 computer
software. Results indicated that the mean hemoglobin values were 11.3± 0.84 g/dl. Twenty
one percent (21.7%) of the infants had anaemia and further 100% of peripheral blood smears
indicated iron deficiency anaemia. Dietary iron intake was a predictor of iron deficiency
anaemia in this study (t=-3.138; p=0.01). Iron deficiency anaemia was evident among infants
in Keiyo South Sub County. The Ministry of Health should formulate and implement
policies on screening for anaemia and ensure intensive nutrition education on iron rich diets
during child welfare clinics.
