Transforming a Medical Student Exchange Program into a Sustainable Community Partnership for Women’s Health in the Dominican Republic

: 2.034_WOM Prevalence of Anemia in Schoolchildren Living in the Interior of Multi-ethnic Suriname: the Influence of Age, Sex and Ethnicity L. Yau, M. Mac Donald-Ottevanger, B. Jubitana, C. Zijlmans; Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname, Paramaribo, South America, Suriname, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname, Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Paramaribo, Suriname Background: Anemia in early life may lead to poor motor development and impaired cognitive function. The current prevalence of anemia in schoolchildren living in the interior of multi-ethnic Suriname, South America, is unknown. The Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname (MM) provides healthcare in this region, and has implemented school screening in their annual program. Objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of anemia among these schoolchildren and to determine the influence of age, sex and ethnicity. Methods: MM 2014-2015 school screening data from children aged 4-14 years, living throughout Suriname’s interior, were used. Anemia was defined according to WHO guidelines corrected for age and classified by severity. Determinants of anemia were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Findings: Of the 4236 schoolchildren that were included, 51% were young (4-8 years), 49% were older (9-14 years), 52% were male, and 79%, 17% and 4% were of Maroon, Amerindian, and Mixed ethnicity respectively. Overall prevalence of anemia was 59.7%, sub classified in mild (17.6%), moderate (39.5%) and severe (2.6%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger age (OR 1⁄4 1.66; 95% CI 1.46-1.88), male sex (OR 1.17; 95%CI 1.03-1.32) and Maroon ethnicity (OR 1⁄4 2.07; 95% CI 1.50-2.85) were independently associated with anemia. Interpretation: Over half of Suriname’s interior schoolchildren are anemic, mainly affecting younger children, boys, and children of Maroon descent. These results call for future studies to determine specific causes and may help implement targeted MM programs aimed to reduce the burden of anemia. Source of Funding: None. Abstract #: 2.035_WOM: 2.035_WOM