A Hospital Based Prospective Study to Assess the Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Known Population

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is a form of anemia due to the lack of sufficient iron to form normal red blood cells. Iron deficiency, the most common cause, is responsible for 50% of all anemias. Hence; we assessed the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among known population. Subjects and Methods: The present research aimed for evaluating the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia. Sample size included assessment of a total of 220 patients who reported to the department of internal medicine of the hospital for routine medical checkup.  A self-framed questionnaire was made and was given to all the subjects for collecting the demographic details. Blood samples were obtained from all the subjects and were sent to central laboratory for the assessment of blood hemoglobin levels. WHO criteria, described in the past literature, was used for categorizing the subjects with presence of iron deficiency anemia. All the results were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the present study was found to be 11.36 percent.  Majority of the subjects with iron deficiency anemia were found to be more than 35 years of age. Iron deficiency anemia was found to be more common among females and among illiterates. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is a frequency encountered pathologic condition among general population, with especially high prevalence among females and illiterate population.