Anemia and Its Associated Factors in Children Under Five in Public Health Facilities in Wolkite Town, Central Ethiopia, 2024

Background Anemia is characterized by reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit, or red blood cell counts below normal levels for age, sex, and race. In 2019, globally, the prevalence of anemia in children aged 6 to 59 months was 39.8%, with the highest rate in the African Region at 60.2%. In Ethiopia, this rate reached 52.1%. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia in children under five in Ethiopia. Method A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at Wolkite Health Center and Hospital in March 2024. Participants were selected through systematic sampling, and data were collected via structured interviews and venous blood samples. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, focusing on descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis to identify significant associations, with a significance level set at P ≤ .05. Results The overall prevalence of anemia among 164 participants was 39.0%, with 22.6% classified as mild, 13.8% as moderate, and 2.6% as severe. Anemia was significantly associated with inadequate dietary diversity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.218, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.253–3.925) and underweight status (AOR = 2.835, 95% CI = 1.151–6.982). Conclusion Childhood anemia is a moderate public health issue in the study area, with significant links to recent malaria infections, inadequate dietary diversity, and underweight status. Addressing these factors is essential for improving child health outcomes.