In Cameroon, as in most developing countries, anemia is a public health problem.
In young children, this trouble has deleterious consequences on the global health
and a weak cognitive development. Young children status in rural area is poorly
investigated. The objective of study was to determine biological, nutritional, and
socioeconomic risk factors for anemia in this vulnerable age group. A cross
sectional study was conducted among children aged 0 to 24 months in six pilot
health centers in Bangang rural community. Hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron
binding capacity, transferrin saturation, ferritin and C reactive protein levels were
determined. A questionnaire was developed to obtain information on the
socioeconomic and demographic status of the family, anthropometrics measures
and nutritional intake were recorded. Anemia was detected in 66.67 % of the 177
children sampled and iron deficiency was found in 51.41 %. The mean hemoglobin
concentration was 10.59 g/dl in boys and 10.46 g/dl in girls, whereas the mean
ferritin level was 25.87µg/l in girls and 32.61µg/l in boys. Moreover, we observed
a highly significant association (p < 0.01) between hemoglobin level and other
biological parameters. There was a significant relationship between lower maternal
breastfeeding, lower maternal schooling, number of children and anemia among
young children (p < 0.05). Hemoglobin level was primarily associated with iron
status in these rural Cameroonian children. However, maternal breastfeeding,
maternal schooling and food insecurity were also important factors. Deeper
knowledge about the etiology and nutritional risk factors for anemia in this
vulnerable age group is essential to its proper treatment and prevention.