Prevalence of anemia among Indigenous children in Latin America: a systematic review

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence pattern of anemia among Indigenous children in Latin America. METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed. Records were identified from the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Lilacs by two independent researchers between May and June 2021. Studies were included if the following criteria were met: a) studied Indigenous people b) was about children (from 0 to 12 years old); c) reported a prevalence estimate of anemia; d) had been conducted in any of the countries of Latin America; e) was published either in English, Portuguese, or Spanish; f) is a peer-reviewed article; and g) was published at any date. RESULTS: Out of 2,401 unique records retrieved, 42 articles met the inclusion criteria. A total of 39 different Indigenous communities were analyzed in the articles, and in 21 of them (54.0%) child anemia was a severe public health problem (prevalence ≥ 40%). Those communities were the Aymara (Bolivia); Aruak, Guaraní, Kamaiurá, Karapotó, Karibe, Kaxinanuá, Ma-cro-Jê, Suruí, Terena, Xavante (Brazil); Cabécar (Costa Rica), Achuar, Aguaruna, Awajún, Urarina, Yomybato (Peru); Piaroa and Yucpa (Venezuela); and Quechua (Peru and Bolivia). Children below two years had the highest prevalence of anemia (between 16.2% and 86.1%). Among Indigenous people, risk factors for anemia include nutrition, poor living conditions, access to health services, racism, and discrimination. Bolivia and Guatemala are scarcely studied, despite having the highest proportion of Indigenous communities in Latin America. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia constitutes a poorly documented public health problem among Indigenous children in 21 Indigenous communities in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. In all Indigenous communities included in this study child anemia was an issue, especially in younger children.

Evaluation of Field Performance of Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets in North-Western Burkina Faso.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the field performance of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) in north-western Burkina Faso. Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration: The study took place between September and November 2008 (end of rainy season) in rural north-western Burkina Faso. Methodology: Standard WHO bioassays were performed on field-collected ITNs from three areas of different insecticide pressure: semi-urban Nouna town, three villages with cotton agriculture, and three villages without cotton agriculture. Data on age and washing frequency of ITNs was collected, and deltamethrin content was determind by HPLC. Results: The mean age of field-collected ITNs was 2.1 years. The mosquito mortality rate (Anopheles gambiae sl.) after 24 hours was 4% for the negative controls, 90% for the positive controls, and 73% for field-used ITNs. Differences in mosquito mortality between sub-areas disappeared after controlling for confounding variables. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that under real life conditions, deltamethrin still shows some level of effectiveness despite ongoing insecticide pressure. However, deltamethrin resistance has been observed in other parts of the country and thus close surveillance of ITN efficacy is needed. More frequent replacement of ITNs is also recommended.