Author(s)

Kamo Sélangaï Doka Hélène^1,2*, Mekone Nkwele Isabelle³, Jeannette Epée Ngoué³, Tony Nengom Jocelyn³, Zenabou Tena², Zomene Franc², Ngo Um Sap Suzanne³

¹Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Garoua, Garoua, Cameroon.
²Pediatric Unit of the Regional Hospital of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon.
³Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Introduction: In low-income countries, severe anemia represents a significant risk of mortality. It is generally the consequence of a lack of correct community-based management of mild and moderate anemia and its etiologies. Our study aimed to evaluate the community practice in confronting anemia by mothers of children aged 0 - 5 years old before and during the COVID-19 period. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in two phases at the pediatric ward of the regional hospital of Ngaoundere in Cameroon; before the period of the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2018 to May 2019 and during the pandemic period from December 2020 to May 2021. It was a volunteer sample. Were included in this study all mothers of children aged 0 - 5 years present in the pediatric ward at the time of the survey who agreed to freely answer our questionnaire. Results: Of the 152 mothers surveyed in the “Before COVID-19” group, 69% went to a health facility when they suspected their children were anemic, 20% gave grenadine juice (Red colored soda), 7% went to marabous, 2% bought street medicines and 2% used other home-made potions. Of the 92 mothers included in the “During COVID-19” group, the majority did not go to a health facility: 36% gave grenadine juice and other potions, 26% went to marabouts, 23% bought medicines from the street and only 13% went to a health facility; 2% did nothing. The average Group rank is not statistically significantly different between the before and during the COVID-19 periods (p = 0.89). Conclusion: Community behavior and practice in confronting anemia deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of mothers resorting to non-effective out-of-hospital solutions. The consequence can be an increase in infant mortality. While waiting for the end of the pandemic, it is judicious and urgent to review the whole health system in Africa and especially in countries with limited resources. We propose developing multiple advanced strategies to promote community visits to prevent anemia and to develop anticipatory management of anemia as well as all the main child-killing pathologies.

Anemia, COVID-19, Community, Management

Hélène, K. , Isabelle, M. , Ngoué, J. , Jocelyn, T. , Tena, Z. , Franc, Z. and Suzanne, N. (2022) Comparative Analysis of Community-Based Management of Anemia in Children before and during the COVID Pandemic. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 12, 671-677. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2022.124069.