The prevalence of anemia among children and women of reproductive age in Kazakhstan and basis of its prevention
AbstractResults of the study on the prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age and children, residing in the various regions of Kazakhstan, are presented in the article. Representational sampling which takes into account the divisional principle of medical service of children population in each of the 14th areas, Astana and Almaty cities has been implemented. Research involved participation of 1303 women at the age of 15–49 years, and of 1318 children, 353 (26,8%) of whom were in the age of 6 up to 23 months, and 985 (73,2%) were in the age range of 24–59 months. 89 women were pregnant, which constituted 6,8%. The average hemoglobin level in the blood of pregnant women was 11,1±1,6 g/dL, which was significantly lower compared to that of non-pregnant women, for whom the figure was 12,1±1,6 g/dL. The average level of hemoglobin in the blood of children in the age range of 6–23 months was 10,7±1,4 g/dL, and was significantly lower than that of children in the age range of 24–59 months, for whom the figure was, in average, 11,5±1,4 g/dL (p<0,05). The rate of prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women was 43,8%, among non-pregnant women – 39,0%, among children aged 6–59 months – 35,2%. It was found that the prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in children aged 6–23 months (53,3%) compared with children aged 24–59 months (28,8%). As for degree of severity of anemia, mild form prevailed in all of the examined groups: children – 53,6%, pregnant women – 51,2% and non-pregnant – 77,2%. Moderate anemia was mostly diagnosed in children in the age range of 6 to 23 months and in pregnant women (50,5 and 43,6% relatively). Comprehensive program of prevention and control of iron-deficiency anemia among children and women includes food fortification, supplementation of target groups with iron preparation and folic acid, food diversification, monitoring and evaluation of program execution, as well as training of medical students and medical staff with policies and strategies of struggle against iron-deficiency anemia.
Keywords:iron-deficiency anemia, children, women, pregnant women, prevention