Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among Female Students in a Health Science College

Abstract

Anemia is a condition defined with less hemoglobin (Hgb) level than the normal range in the body, which decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells to tissues. A cross-sectional study was conducted to, estimates the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among female students in the College of Health and Medical Sciences. Of a total of 422 surveyed 13.5% were anemic in which 61.3% and 26.1% were mild and moderate respectively. Univariate analysis of the potential risk factors has depicted that the history of malaria and folic supplementation showed a statistically significant association with the proportion of anemic (p< 0.05). With multivariable analysis, only folic supplementation showed a statistically significant association with anemia (p< 0.05). As a result, students on the iron supplement (OR=7.39, 1.45-37.57) were at higher risk of anemic than non-iron supplements. The present study has also demonstrated the existence of a high prevalence of anemia and deep-rooted the importance of iron supplements as possible causes of anemia. It is, therefore, recommended to prevent anemia in women by considering potential risk factors.