Publication:

Burden of anemia in hospital attendees in Tayma general hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Background Anemia, a low hemoglobin (Hb) status in the body is a serious nutritional public health problem in the world. It causes divergent morbidity and mortality in the affected population. Prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age (women ages 15-49 years) in Saudi Arabia was 40.30% in 2011. In this study, we attempted to explore the burden of anemia in Hospital attendees in Saudi Arabia.

Methods A cross sectional study was conducted with the laboratory hematological values of walk-in clients from January 2016 and February 2016. Client's sex, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC values were collected. Hb values categorized as mild anemia: Male: 11-12.9 gm/dl; Female: 11-11.9 g/dl., moderate anemia 8-11 gm/dl and severe anemia <8 g/dl. Data entry done was using Microsoft Excel and data analysis by STATA 15.

Results Out of total 2805 client's data, 49% (n=1377) were male and 51% (n=1428) were females. The mean Hb% was 12.31 g/dl (SD–2.54), 11.50 g/dl in females and 13.13 g/dl in males. The overall prevalence of anemia was 48.73% (CI: 46.87%-50.6%) as per WHO criteria and it was higher in females (45.53%, CI: 42.88-48.21) in men and 51.82% (CI: 49.19-54.44) in women). Severe anemia was also higher in women (Male: 2.76% vs. Females: 7.49%) while mild anemia was high in men (Male: 28.61% vs. Female: 17.79%). Prevalence of anemia was 25.6% and 40.7% if lower margin of Hb kept at 11 g/dl and 12 g/dl respectively.

Conclusions The prevalence of anemia in Tayma region was high which needs integrated intervention at different levels to improve Hb status in the community.