Reducing iron deficiency anaemia due to heavy menstrual blood loss in Nigerian rural adolescents
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15094458 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fiona Barr (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Loretta Brabin (0000-0003-4478-6503, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, corresponding author), Shola Agbaje (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Fiekumo Buseri, Fiekumo Igbida Buseri (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), J Ikimalo (0000-0002-5063-2474, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Nimi Briggs (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine) |
| Year | 1998 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 249-257 |
| Publication date | 1998-12-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Public Health Nutrition (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1079/phn19980041 |
| PMID | 10933425 |
| OpenAlex | W2147869770 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 28 |
Objective: Menstrual disorders are common in young women, and heavy menstrual blood losses (MBL) are an important cause of anaemia. Menstrual morbidity normally goes untreated in developing countries where cultural barriers also serve to mask the problems. We investigated the prevalence of menstrual morbidity, and measured MBL and its relationship to iron deficiency in a rural adolescent population. The rationale was to assess whether or not reducing heavy MBL could be part of a strategy to reduce iron deficiency anaemia. Setting: Rural village in south-east Nigeria. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Subjects: The study included all non-pregnant, unmarried nulliparous girls ( Methods: A field worker allocated to each girl completed a questionnaire, and supervised recovery and collection of soiled pads and ensured blood sampling. MBL was measured using the standard alkaline haematin method. Haemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, transferrin saturation and protoporphyrin levels (ZPP) were also measured. Results: 307 girls completed MBL measurements; 11.9% refused to participate. 12.1% had menorrhagia (> 80 ml); median MBL was 33.1 ml. Menorrhagia was more frequent in girls who had menstruated for > 2 years ( P = 0.048), and had longer duration of menses ( P Conclusions: The level of menorrhagia detected (12%) may be an ‘expected’ level for a condition which often has no underlying pathology. Heavy MBL is one of the most important factors contributing to iron deficiency anaemia. Measures are needed to alleviate menstrual disorders, and improve iron status. Oral contraceptives can be part of a strategy to reduce anaemia, particularly for adolescents at high risk of unwanted pregnancies
Anemia · Blood sampling · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Ferritin · Iron deficiency · Pathology · Population · Serum iron · Transferrin saturation · Medicine · Menstrual Health and Disorders · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Uterine Myomas and Treatments · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Physiology
Bibliography of papers from studies undertaken in Africa and published in Public Health Nutrition, 1998 to date
The 18th International Congress of Nutrition takes place on African soil
Iron intake does not significantly correlate with iron deficiency among young Japanese women
The reproductive ecology of iron in women
| Citations per year | 0.19 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2005 - 2016 (12) |
| Highly cited | No |