Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent schoolgirls from Kermanshah, Western Iran

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is a major health problem in developing countries. Anemia reduces physical work capacity and cognitive function and adversely affects learning and scholastic performance in schoolgirls entering adolescence. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia among adolescent school girls aged 14-20 years from 20 different high schools located in three educational areas of Kermanshah, the capital of Kermanshah province in Western Iran. The prevalence of anemia (Hb<12 mg/dl) among adolescent school girls was 21.4%. Iron deficiency using a ferritin level <12 microg/l was found in 23.7% of studied girls. There were 47 girls (12.2%) with iron deficiency anemia (Hb<12 g/dl and ferritin <20 microg/l). Around 57.3% of anemic girls were iron deficient. There were no significant differences between the presence of anemia and the level of education of parents. The mean levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in studied adolescent girls from Western Iran were found to be lower than those reported for females aged 12-18 years. In conclusion, regarding the detrimental long-term effects and high prevalence of iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia in Kermanshah, Western Iran its prevention could be a high priority in the programs of health system of the country and supplementation of a weekly iron dose is recommended.

Research Letters

“…Studies from West show much lower prevalence of iron deficiency state in obese children ranging from 2% to 15.6% [6,7]. This is contrast to studies from Asian sub-continent, where combined prevalence of ID and IDA is noted to be around 36-42% [8,9].…”

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Among School Going Adolescent Females in Rural Area of Wardha District of Maharashtra.

“…Thus the prevalence of iron deficiency was 67%.According to the third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NAHANSIII); 3 In United States 11% of the adolescent females are iron deficient. In Western Iran a study done by Akramipour R et al (2008) 7 the prevalence was 23.7%, whereas in urban Bangladesh a study done by Ahmed F et al (2000) 8 it was only 17%.…”

“…In United States the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is only 3% (NAHANSIII); 3 whereas in the study done in Western Iran by Akramipour R et al (2008) 7 the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 21.4%. In India Chandigarh, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 11.4% in school going adolescent females.…”

“…Iron deficiency constituted 79% of all anemia, this is similar to the findings of Choudhary A et al (2006) 10 where in also three fourth of all anemic were iron deficient. In the study done in Western Iran by Akramipour R et al (2008) 8 57.3% of anemic girls were iron deficient.…”

Effect of Iron Enriched Bread Intake on the Oxidative Stress Indices in Male Wistar Rats

“…Adverse effects of anemia on the growth and development of children are very important [6]. Anemia in particular affects the learning and scholastic performance in school girls entering adolescence [7]. Iron deficiency was reported in 78 % and 28% of female and male regular blood donors of Yazd, Iran, respectively; and 55.6% and 16% of these donors had iron deficiency anemia [8].…”