Prevalencia de anemia ferropénica y factores asociados en niños de etapa escolar en zonas urbano-marginales de la ciudad de Guayaquil – Ecuador, octubre 2021 a febrero 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood is a phase of great importance in the evolutionary process of the human being, in which two stages are considered, growth and development; for which an optimal state of health accompanied by adequate nutrition is essential. Objective: To establish the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and its relationship with associated factors in school-aged children in marginal urban areas of the city of Guayaquil - Ecuador, from October 2021 to February 2022. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional. 79 school children were evaluated. The data collection was carried out “in situ” directly. Validated instruments and tools were used to assess anthropometric and biochemical data, eating habits, socioeconomic status and the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices on iron deficiency anemia. For statistical analysis, Microsoft Excel was used. Results: It was evidenced that the prevalence of anemia in the selected sample is 27.85%. Regarding the associated factors, 86.08% have a diet that needs changes; 54.43% have regular knowledge, 60.76% have a risky attitude and 63.29% a risky practice. 91.4% belong to a low socioeconomic stratum. Conclusions: Adequate nutrition from the fetal stage and in the first years of life is essential for the child, for this reason, when this process is conditioned, multiple consequences appear that will be reflected in the short, medium and long term in the individual. and in turn will affect the society to which it belongs.