IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IN KSA

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common cause of anemia worldwide; it affects about half of school-age children around the world.

Objectives: toidentify prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in relation nutritional habits among school students and to identify common signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in a representative sample of schools in KSA during the period from 1 January to 31 July 2020.Data collected by filled a predesigned online questionnaire, included questions about socio-demographic characteristics of the children, nutritional habits and risk factors, causes and complications of anemia.

Results: the study included 1558 school student, 89.8% were females, and 79.6% aged more than 15 years. 26.8% of the studied students had iron deficiency anemia. There was a significant correlation between iron deficiency anemia and age, sex, educational level (P< 0.05). It was most prevalent among females more than 15 years. The most common manifestations were easy fatigability 63.8%, drowsiness 52.5%, loss of concentration 45.6%, continuous headache 43.6%, fainting attacks 41.2%, tachycardia 34.3%, joint pain 33.8%, chest pain 19.7% and back pain in 18.9%. The majority (74.3%) takes oral treatment containing iron and 34.5% had vitamin C of cases. Improvement occurred in 53.5% of cases.

Conclusion:in our study, the total prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 26.8%. It was most prevalent among females more than 15 years. In spite of treatment, only 53.5% of cases were improved. So we recommend nutritional education to all levels of school children and their mothers. Schools must keep the mid-day school meal rich in iron and vitamin C sources.