OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence and establish risk factors associated with anemia in children in the Brazilian State of Alagoas. METHODS: a cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of 666 children aged between 6 and 60 months. Anthropometric, environmental, demographic, socio-economic data were collected during home visits, along with information on health, the use of public services and the existence of diseases. The concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) was measured using a HemoCue® photometer, and a level of <11 g/dL was taken to indicate anemia. Pearson's test was used identify correlations and the X2 test to analyze associations between the category variables. The association of anemia with the predictor variables was confirmed by multiple logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: the prevalence of anemia was 45.0%. Hb levels were positively and significantly associated with age (r=0.44; p<0.01). The highest prevalence was found in the 6-12 month age-group (75.2%). Multivariate analysis identified the following variables associated with anemia: age <36 months (p<0.001) and a household with five or more occupants (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: the degree of prevalence of anemia found indicates that this is a serious public health problem in the State of Alagoas. Larger families and those with children aged under three years should receive greater attention.
Anemia; Epidemiology; Child; Risk factors; Cross-sectional studies
