Author(s): Djilali Larbaoui
Article publication date: 1998-08-01
Vol. 16 No. 2 (yearly), pp. 451-470.
141
Keywords
iron deficiency, anemia, female students
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in 351 female students aged from 19 to 26 years in the west of Algeria. Anemia defined by Hb < 12g/ 100 ml and Ht < 36% was respectively observed in 17.7% and 16% of the subjects. Iron stores depletion defined by Serum Ferritin < 12 ng/ml was observed in 21% of the sample and 62.3% of anemic subjects. Cerium iron < 50 µ/100 ml was observed in 48.3% of anemic students, and 23% had marginal levels (50 to 100 µg/ 100ml). Dietary intakes of bioavailable iron are about 0.83 mg/day, much less than that required for women in fertile age. This precarious iron balance indicates that these female students are at high risk of iron deficiency anemia.