Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Kuwait.

Sameer Al Zenki,Mona Al Somaie,Nawal Al Hamad,Ina'Am Al Obaid,Nasser Al Jahmah,Jameela Al Ghanim,Suad Al Hooti,Amani Al Othman,Husam Alomirah,Sahar Zaghloul,Aravinda Rao,Robert Jackson

doi:10.3390/ijerph120809036

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency (ID) of a nationally representative sample of the Kuwait population. We also determined if anemia differed by socioeconomic status or by RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels. The subjects who were made up of 1830 males and females between the ages of 2 months to 86 years, were divided into the following age groups (0–5, 5–11, 12–14, 15–19, 20–49, ≥50 years). Results showed that the prevalence of anemia was 3% in adult males and 17% in females. The prevalence of ID varied according to age between 4% (≥50 years) and 21% (5–11 years) and 9% (12–14 years) and 23% (15–19 years), respectively, in males and females. The prevalence of anemia and ID was higher in females compared to males. Adults with normal ferritin level, but with low RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels had higher prevalence of anemia than those with normal RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels. This first nationally representative nutrition and health survey in Kuwait indicated that anemia and ID are prevalent and ID contributes significantly to anemia prevalence.

Highlights

Anemia is defined as a public health condition in which the number of red blood cells is insufficient to meet the body’s physiologic needs with iron deficiency (ID) being the predominant nutrient deficiency causing anemia [1]
The prevalence of anemia was highest in the youngest age groups, but declined with age
Our results showed a lower prevalence of anemia in the less than 5 years of age and the 5 to11 years old age groups than that found previously

Summary

Introduction

Anemia is defined as a public health condition in which the number of red blood cells is insufficient to meet the body’s physiologic needs with iron deficiency (ID) being the predominant nutrient deficiency causing anemia [1]. Deficiencies of other nutrients (including folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin A) may contribute to anemia [4,5]. Most studies of anemia in Kuwait have focused on the genetic causes of anemia such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia [6,7]. Past studies in Kuwait revealed that anemia is prevalent and may affect significant numbers of people across the life cycle [11,12,13,14]. 50% prevalence of ID was found in a group of Kuwaiti college women [16]

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Discussion

Conclusion