Factors Influencing Anemia and Night Blindness among Children Less than Five Years Old (0 - 4.11 Years) in Khartoum State, Sudan

This study investigated factors influencing nutritional status of children less than five years old suffering anemia and night blindness in Khartoum State. Sample size was 138 children determined by 10% rate of prevalence of nutritional deficiency diseases among children living in Khartoum State. In addition, testing hemoglobin and anthropometric measurements were done. Results depicted that, illiteracy was prevailing, and household monthly income averaged 100 USD. Symptoms of anemia included loss of appetite (87.7%), paleness (93.5%), and eating clay (29%), while for night blindness they were xerophthalmia (20%); Pinot spots (52%); karatomalacia (12%), and Cornea ulceration (4%). Children suffering these two diseases had hemoglobin concentration below 60% standard, indicated to Iron deficiency anemia and cute malnutrition constitute 63% of the cases. Females are less malnourished compared to males. Significant relationship exists between household monthly income and number of meals per day taken by a child (P=0 .0003); and between nutritional status of children and number of meals taken by a child per day (P=0 .003); and between household monthly income and frequency of daily intake of energy, protein, iron by a child (0.04; 0.01; 0.07 respectively). Nutritional status of pregnant women and nutritional status of the family are significantly correlated (P= 0.0056); and hemoglobin and intake of animal and plant protein is significant correlated (P= 0.03 and 0.01 respectively). Big family size of children suffering anemia and night blindness had reduced their share of energy, protein, iron and vitamin A. The authors suggested some recommendations to alleviate these two diseases in Khartoum State.