The scope of this study was to describe the prevalence and factors associated with anemia and vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children under five years old assisted under the Family Health Program. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2006. Children between 6 and 59 months-old, who had performed measurements of hemoglobin and serum retinol, were selected using samples from 945 and 563 children respectively. Anemia was determined by the hemoglobin level < 11 g/dL and VAD by serum retinol < µmol/L. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by Poisson multiple regression using a hierarchical model. Anemia prevalence was 35%, decreasing with the increase number of people per room, maternal age and the child's age. With respect to VAD, its prevalence was 16%, rising in places where garbage disposal was inadequate and in children who had suffered from diarrhea in the previous fifteen days. The prevalence of anemia was more than double that found for VAD, highlighting the influence of environmental factors on VAD.
Anemia; Vitamin A deficiency; Epidemiology; Family health program; Nutritional surveys
