Coexistence of anemia and vitamin A deficiency in women of childbearing age in the Northeast region of Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anemia and vitamin A deficiency in women of childbearing age in Pernambuco, a state in the Brazilian Northeast. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted making a secondary database analysis of"The Third State Survey on Health and Nutrition" done from May to September 2006. Data were collected from 761 women of childbearing age (10-49 years). RESULTS: The simultaneous occurrence of the two deficiencies was found in only seven women (0.9%). The prevalence of anemia was of 15.1%, and of vitamin A deficiency, 8.2%. There was no association between the two conditions (p=0.380), although a positive correlation was found between retinol levels and hemoglobin concentration (r=0.13). CONCLUSION: Anemia and vitamin A deficiency did not coexist. Anemia was considered a mild public health problem, while vitamin A deficiency was not considered an epidemiological problem.