Research In Anemia

Research -1

Anemia: progress in molecular mechanisms and therapies

Aims: Knowledge and practices of both men and women on factors that contribute to anemia in pregnancy needs to determined if sound and successful measures to prevent pregnancy anemia are to be implemented. This study was designed to understand knowledge, practices and attitudes of pregnant women and men on anemia during pregnancy.

Study Design: This was a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Moshi town, in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania between January and May, 2012 in 4 health centers.

Methodology: A total of 64 participants were enrolled, involving 44 pregnant women, 11 in each study centre, 18-45 years old, and 20 married men, 5 in each center attending health care services. A structured, ‘close ended question’ questionnaire was used for data capturing after it was pre-tested. Participants were asked questions and responses were recorded by the investigator. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0) in which mainly descriptive statistics was used. 

Results: Approximately 82% (n=36) of women were spending ≤ 60 minutes to reach the ANC, majority (68.2%, n=30) incurring less than Tanzanian Shillings (TAS) 1,000 per visit while 13.6% (n=6) were parting with more than TAS 2,000 per visit. Compliance to required 4 antenatal clinics (ANC) visits was high by 93.2% (n=41) with a mean gestation age at first visit at 18th week. Causes of anemia were known by 93.8% (n=42), with 79.7%, 96.2%, 80.8% and 67.4% having good knowledge on malaria as a cause of anemia, foods and medications that prevent anemia and cut-off hemoglobin level for anemia, respectively. Knowledge on effects of anemia on birth outcomes was poor with 17 (26.6%) with adequate knowledge.

Conclusion: Although ANC services are very accessible in the study area and pregnant women keep ANC visits, we report presence of inadequate knowledge on anemia in pregnancy, particularly effects on birth outcomes. Strengthened training and increased scope of education on reproductive health in general during ANC clinics should be prioritized.

Research -2

Variation in Blood Indices in Cases of Anemias Coexisting with HbE from Eastern India

Hemoglobin E is one of the most common forms of abnormal hemoglobin, related to hemoglobinopathies in the world. It can result in a heterogeneous group of disorders ranging from asymptomatic to severe anemia with regular blood transfusion dependency. HbE trait and HbE/E are mild disorders, as compared to other form of β globin defect. But when HbE combine with other forms of anemia, it can yield variety of clinical manifestations. Not only these various clinical changes caused by HbE hemoglobinopathy in homozygous or heterozygous forms, but also the standard haematological parameters changes interestingly often leading to misdiagnosis, when other anemia like Aplastic Anemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia are coexisted with HbE allele.

In this paper, we have tried to address how different anemias along with HbE hemoglobinopathy can bring about changes in different hematological parameters. We have categorically tried to address the issue by comparing the specific and relevant hematological parameters of these HbE hemoglobinopathy patients, with presence of others forms of anemia, like aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia.

This paper can give very significant clues to both the future researchers and clinicians to diagnose the HbE hemoglobinopathy with more certainty and clarity, when other forms of anemia co-existed with HbE.

Research -3

Anemia and Dietary Habits among Pregnant Women in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Aims: To determine the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Jazan in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia, and identify some food habits of pregnant women. The association between having anaemia and some maternal factors like age and obstetric history are also studied.

Study Design:  A descriptive cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Five different health care centres and Jazan general hospital in Jazan, Southern region of Saudi Arabia during November 2014. 

Methodology: A sample of 389 pregnant women in the reproductive age (15-49 years) was studied. Cluster sampling was used to choose the different health facilities and systemic random sampling technique was used to select the women within these institutes. 

Data was collected using a pre-structured interview questionnaire and review of files of pregnant women in these facilities.

Results: The prevalence of anaemia among the pregnant women was found 58.9%. The percentage of pregnant women who experienced cravings was 35.5%, 56.1 % had aversions and 67.3 % had pica. The study also found that two thirds of women who got pregnant more than 5 times were anaemic with a P value (0.005). However, no significant relation was found between anaemia and maternal age, number of deliveries or number of abortions.

Conclusion: Anaemia among pregnant women in Jazan region is high. Many pregnant women experience cravings and aversions which affect their nutrition. These findings signal the need for proper interventions to address female’s nutritional habits in this area. Nutritional advice during ante-natal care visits for pregnant women are advised.

Research -4

Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adolescent Girls in Rural Upper Egypt

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adolescents tends to increase with age due to acceleration of growth.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA in adolescent girls in rural Upper Egypt.

Methods: 912 girls in 5 different village preparatory schools situated in El-Minya governorate at Upper Egypt were enrolled in the study. Complete blood count and serum ferritin were done to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA among them.

Results: Our study revealed 39.9% of the girls were anemic, the prevalence of IDA was 30.2% and that of ID without anemia was 11.4%.

Conclusions: ID, with or without anemia is still a major health problem in adolescent girls living in rural Upper Egypt.

Research -5

Anemia—still a major health problem in many parts of the world!

Anemia is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries. This fundamental health issue still has not been solved and continues to exist affecting the health, quality of life, and working capacity in billions of people all over the world. This paper gives a review on the prevalence and major causes of anemia seen on a global scale. Most cases of anemia are due to iron deficiency, which often work in symphony with folate deficiency and/or vitamin B12 deficiency as well as with infections. More efforts should be dedicated to tackle this massive problem—we have the tools, and we know the ways. Iron fortification of appropriate food items combined with iron supplements in specific population groups has proven to be efficient. Initially, the efforts should be centered on the specific risk groups for iron deficiency anemia, i.e., young children, adolescent females, women of reproductive age, as well as pregnant women and postpartum lactating mothers.