Factors Related to Anaemia in Toddlers Aged 6 - 59 Months in Indonesia (Riskesdas Data Analysis 2018)

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of anemia in toddlers is increasing in Indonesia. Various factors can influence the anemia status of toddlers, such as toddler characteristics, maternal factors, and sociodemographics. Purpose: of this study was to determine the factors associated with the occurence of anemia in toddlers aged 6–59 months in Indonesia. Methods: This is a secondary study with a cross-sectional design. Data were sourced from the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), with a sample size of 1,614 toddlers aged 6–59 months. The variables studied were toddler characteristics, maternal factors, and sociodemographics. Complex Sample Analysis (CS) Chi-Square and Cox Regression were used. Results: The study found that the proportion of toddlers with anemia in Indonesia is 38.4%. Risk factors for toddler anemia were the toddler's age, maternal education, and maternal anemia status. There was no association between gender, birth weight, nutritional status, health status, maternal occupation, personal hygiene, gestational age, family size, and socioeconomic status to occurrence of anemia. The dominant factor was toddler age (PR 1.96; 95% CI 1.52-2.52) after controlling for birth weight, toddler nutritional status, maternal occupation, maternal education, maternal anemia, personal hygiene, residence, family size, and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Younger toddlers increase the risk of anemia in Indonesia. It is recommended that mothers with toddlers pay attention to their consumption patterns and parenting to ensure a balanced, nutritious diet to meet iron needs, especially for toddlers aged 6-23 months, who are generally still breastfed.