Prevalence of anemia among children of Egyptian village, socioecnomic study and trial of therapy

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to reassess prevalence of anemia among preschoolers of Egyptian village [Atris]. Medical and nutritional intervention program was studied for anemia combating. 338 children and 148 parents were examined clinically and their socioeconomic status was evaluated through filling of organized questionnaire. Hemoglobin level was assessed in their blood. The study group was subdivided into 4 categories, farmers, laborers, skilled laborers and employees. Intervention program to combat anemia was carried out for 3 groups of children. Iron preparation and nutritional education were tried against placebo. The study demonstrated that the overall prevalence of anemia is 48.35%. The most vulnerable age group is that of infants below 1 year 70.27%, with age advance the prevalence of anemia decreases. The socio-educational status has an important role as regards anemia prevalence, employees' children have significantly lower prevalence of anemia [p <0.05] than other categories. Intervention regimens with iron therapy led to 12.93% increase in blood hemoglobin level when compared with nutritional education 11.34%. The results suggested that dietary iron intake always exceeds requirement by a sizable margin and iron deficiency is mostly the result of inadequate absorption