Research Article

Analysis of Spatial Pattern of the Level and Spread of Anaemia among Young Children in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract : Challenges posed by anaemia among young children in sub-Saharan Africa are immense considering its attendant consequences on their quality of life. Using data from the National Demographic Health Surveys (2018 and 2021 combined), the level and spread of anaemia in six states that constitute the southwestern region of Nigeria are assessed among young children under five years in this study. From the haemoglobin level of 1582 children examined, 914 (57.8%) are anaemic (Hb level below 11.0 g/dl), indicating a relatively higher anaemia level among the respondents. Using binary logistic regression, mothers’ education, wealth status, residence (urban/rural), and states are significant contributors to the anaemia status of the children. A higher percentage of poor respondents and rural dwellers are found to have low haemoglobin levels. Also, male children are found to be more anaemic compared to female children. Using BayesX, a software for structured additive regression, both Gaussian and binomial distributions are used to assess anaemia status. Results show that the Gaussian distribution is better overall. The non-linear effect of age of children reveals that the haemoglobin level increases as age increases to about 50 months old before it starts declining, while the frequency of household numbers is not a significant determinant. Spatial analysis of the effect of the subnational reveals that there is no significant difference in the haemoglobin level of children from Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, and Ogun states. Children from Osun state have significantly higher haemoglobin levels, while those from Ondo state have the least.