Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia Among Under-Five Children in Maiduguri, Borno State, North East Nigeria

This study determines the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) among children under five years of age attending primary health centres in Maiduguri, Borno State, located in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in children globally and has significant consequences for cognitive development, immune function, and school readiness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at four primary health centres in Maiduguri metropolitan local government area, recruiting 300 children aged 6 to 59 months. Haemoglobin concentration was measured by HemoCue, and iron status indices including serum ferritin and serum iron were determined. Dietary recall data and malaria rapid diagnostic test results were obtained for each child. Anaemia prevalence was 58.7 percent, of which 41.4 percent was classified as iron deficiency anaemia based on low ferritin and transferrin saturation. Severe anaemia was recorded in 12.3 percent. Exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months without complementary iron-rich foods and high malaria co-infection rates were identified as compounding factors. Children from internally displaced person (IDP) settlements showed significantly higher anaemia prevalence than those in established communities, reflecting the nutritional vulnerabilities created by ongoing conflict in the region. The study recommends integration of iron supplementation with food distribution programmes in IDP camps, community-based nutrition education, and point-of-care haemoglobin screening in primary health centres. Keywords: iron deficiency anaemia, under-five children, Maiduguri, malnutrition, IDP.