The preceding discussion was based primarily on differentials. Multivariate
analysis, using ordinal regression analysis allows us to assess net influences of various
factors on the degree of anaemia after other factors are controlled. Results of ordinal
logistic regression show that of number of socio-economic and demographic factors
have significant net influence on degree of anaemia in all the three population groups
(Table 7). The severity of anaemia is significantly higher among urban children than
rural possibly due to difference in their food intake. That degree of anaemia is higher
among female children than male disclosed the existence of son preference and gender
discrimination at food plate in that Indian society. Children with SC/ST membership
have higher degree of anaemia than other children plausibly due to not being aware of
the symptom of anaemia. Further, severity of anaemia rises with age among children in
India. It shows that the supplement of nutritious food after six months of exclusive
breast feeding might not have been introduced to keep anaemia at bay. Appropriate
supplement of iron rich diet helps in growth of children and increases immunity.
Children with higher birth order also show higher degree of anaemia perhaps due to low
nutritional status of mother on account of frequent childbearing. On the other hand, for
children belonging to religions other than Hindu, severity of anaemia is low. Proper
care and availability of iron rich diet may have helped to keep the incidence of severe
anaemia low at higher standard of living. The awareness of proper feeding practices for
infant and young children with adequate supplement of iron is plausibly higher among
educated mother which translates into lower degree of anaemia for their children.
Similarly, older mothers are more experienced with child’s nutrition and it may be the
key factor to keep the degree of anaemia low.