Anaemia among young male workers in Alexandria, Egypt

ABSTRACT

In a cross-sectional survey, we investigated exposure to and the presence of factors associated with anaemia, such as socioeconomic conditions, dietary habits, intestinal parasitic infections and lead among 355 young male workers [7-19 years of age] employed in private workshops. Of the total study sample, 44.5% [158 participants] were found to be anaemic. The major risk factors for anaemia were multiple parasitic infection, high intensity of parasitic [Ascaris lumbricoides] infection and drinking tea soon after a meal. A significantly lower prevalence of anaemia was noted after Ramadan; it appeared to be the main factor associated with the presence or absence of anaemia and warrants further attention