SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC RISK FACTORS OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN YOUNG ADULT MALES OF UPPER EGYPT

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate various socio-demographic risk factors of iron
deficiency anemia in young males of Upper Egypt.
METHODS: One thousand Egyptian young males aging from 18 to 25
years were surveyed for prevalence and risk factors of iron deficiency
anemia during their visit for medical examination at Outpatient Clinics
of Quena University Hospital, Quena, Egypt from September 2012 to
September 2013. Blood obtained was subjected to complete blood count by Coulter model STKS hematology analyzer (Coultronics, France) and serum ferritin levels by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. Respondents of the study were also subjected to complete urine analysis and stool examination.
RESULTS: Out of 1000 respondents, 58 (5.8%) were found anemic
during this study. As regards to parasitic infection; young adults with
parasitic infection showed six folds increased risk for anemia than those free from parasitic infection (OR=6.05, 95%CI: 2.53-14.47). Considering rural-urban demographic distribution of the population; individuals living in rural areas were at more than two folds increased risk of anemia than those living in urban areas (OR=2.66, 95%CI: 1.12-6.35). Manual workers were significantly at a higher risk of anemia (OR=4.24, 95%CI:1.58-11.96). Similarly, jobless adults were at higher risk however not statistically significant (OR= 4.12, 95%CI: 0.53-24.99).
CONCLUSION: This study provides a significant association between
anemia and education level and social status. Similarly, parasitic infection, rural residency and manual worker are also some other important risk factors.
KEY WORDS: Young Adult (MeSH), Parasitic Infection (Non-MeSH),
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (MeSH), Social class (MeSH), Egypt (MeSH)