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Anaemia: the neglected female health problem in developing countries. 2011

Ghazala Nazir, and Saima Naz, and Shafqut Ali, and Shaheen Aziz, and Shakeel Ahmad Malik, and Iftikhar Hossain Qari, and Samia Irum

BACKGROUND Anaemia is arguably the biggest female health problems in developing countries. The world is still to fully fathom the extent and gravity of the problem. This problem aggravates particularly during and after pregnancies due to increased nutritional demands and inadequate iron supply and is therefore more widespread in parous segments of female population. Objective of this study was to determine prevalence of anaemia in apparently healthy parous female population of Abbottabad and investigate underlying causes. METHODS This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2001 to March 2011 in Abbottabad. Women reporting for various surgical procedures were investigated for anaemia by obtaining history through a structured performa, specifically designed to identify the underlying causes. Sixteen thousand women of childbearing age (20-40 years) were included in the study; 14,800 with history of at least one pregnancy and remaining with no previous pregnancy. Haemoglobin (Hb) was measured using haematology analyser Sysmex (KX21). RESULTS Of the screened women, 60% were found anaemic (Hb < 12 g/dl) 10% of which were severely anaemic (Hb < 6 g/dl). Anaemia was related to socio-demographic and obstetric history characteristics. The prevalence of anaemia was significantly lower in women who used iron supplements during their pregnancies. Lactating mothers not making up for the iron deficiencies during pregnancies usually carried their anaemia postpartum and beyond. Lower gaps between pregnancies also contributed significantly to the problem. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence and severity of anaemia in reproductive age females reporting to surgical units were found to be exceptionally high. Frequency of anaemia in the parous females of relatively affluent city of Abbotabad indicates that anaemia may be on the rise in developing countries. Addressing pregnancy related anaemia and nutritional deficiencies through intake of supplements on regular basis in women before and between pregnancies is essential.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007774 Lactation The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN. Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D010154 Pakistan A country located in southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north. The capital is Islamabad. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
D010298 Parity The number of offspring a female has borne. It is contrasted with GRAVIDITY, which refers to the number of pregnancies, regardless of outcome. Multiparity,Nulliparity,Primiparity,Parity Progression Ratio,Parity Progression Ratios,Ratio, Parity Progression,Ratios, Parity Progression
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D003430 Cross-Sectional Studies Studies in which the presence or absence of disease or other health-related variables are determined in each member of the study population or in a representative sample at one particular time. This contrasts with LONGITUDINAL STUDIES which are followed over a period of time. Disease Frequency Surveys,Prevalence Studies,Analysis, Cross-Sectional,Cross Sectional Analysis,Cross-Sectional Survey,Surveys, Disease Frequency,Analyses, Cross Sectional,Analyses, Cross-Sectional,Analysis, Cross Sectional,Cross Sectional Analyses,Cross Sectional Studies,Cross Sectional Survey,Cross-Sectional Analyses,Cross-Sectional Analysis,Cross-Sectional Study,Cross-Sectional Surveys,Disease Frequency Survey,Prevalence Study,Studies, Cross-Sectional,Studies, Prevalence,Study, Cross-Sectional,Study, Prevalence,Survey, Cross-Sectional,Survey, Disease Frequency,Surveys, Cross-Sectional
D003906 Developing Countries Countries in the process of change with economic growth, that is, an increase in production, per capita consumption, and income. The process of economic growth involves better utilization of natural and human resources, which results in a change in the social, political, and economic structures. LMICs,Less-Developed Countries,Low Income Countries,Low and Middle Income Countries,Lower-Middle-Income Country,Middle Income Countries,Third-World Countries,Under-Developed Countries,Developing Nations,Least Developed Countries,Less-Developed Nations,Third-World Nations,Under-Developed Nations,Countries, Middle Income,Countries, Third-World,Country, Least Developed,Country, Less-Developed,Country, Low Income,Country, Lower-Middle-Income,Country, Middle Income,Country, Third-World,Country, Under-Developed,Developed Country, Least,Developing Country,Developing Nation,Least Developed Country,Less Developed Countries,Less Developed Nations,Less-Developed Country,Less-Developed Nation,Low Income Country,Lower Middle Income Country,Lower-Middle-Income Countries,Middle Income Country,Nation, Less-Developed,Nation, Third-World,Nation, Under-Developed,Third World Countries,Third World Nations,Third-World Country,Third-World Nation,Under Developed Countries,Under Developed Nations,Under-Developed Country,Under-Developed Nation
D005260 Female Females
D006454 Hemoglobins The oxygen-carrying proteins of ERYTHROCYTES. They are found in all vertebrates and some invertebrates. The number of globin subunits in the hemoglobin quaternary structure differs between species. Structures range from monomeric to a variety of multimeric arrangements. Eryhem,Ferrous Hemoglobin,Hemoglobin,Hemoglobin, Ferrous
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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