Egyptian Women Who Use an IUD Have a Higher Risk of Anemia Than Those Who Rely on Other Methods

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the effectiveness of the use of contraceptive methods on the prevalence of anemia among Egyptian women and its risk factors. Data came from a sample of 1039 women aged 18-40 years attending family planning clinics in the obstetrics and gynecology departments of seven university hospitals from August 1995 to March 1996. Results revealed that half of the women suffered from anemia with prevalence varying from 24% to 100%. Of those who were practicing contraception at the time of their visit women using the IUD were most likely to be anemic (65%) compared to those relying on hormonal methods (34%). For nonusers prevalence of anemia was 43%. Moreover anemia was significantly more frequent among urban women those who were not obese nulliparous women women with menstrual periods lasting 4 or more days and those with moderate-to-heavy flow and those who had a parasitic infection. In view of the increase in IUD use and the high prevalence of anemia the following measures were recommended: 1) prescription of iron supplement tablets as part of IUD services in family planning clinics; 2) early treatment of parasitic infections; and 3) mass media campaigns encouraging the intake of iron-rich foods.