Anemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia in High School Girls in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Objective: To determine the prevalence and causes of anemia in high school girls in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in high school girls aged 15-18 years old. Blood samples were collected for hematological parameters, iron profiles and blood smear examination. The recall 24-hour dietary data were collected using a questionnaire to determine and calculate daily iron intake. For purposes of the study, anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) of <12 g/dL and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was defined as Hb of <12 g/dL with serum ferritin (SF) of <15 µg/L.  Results: The results show that in 19 of a total of 227 subjects (8.3%) anemia was present. Iron deficiency was the main cause of anemia (13 of 19 cases) with a prevalence of 5.7%, while the prevalence of anemia due to other causes was 3.6% (6 of 19 cases). Iron deficiency without anemia was found in 36 cases (15.9%). Participants’ daily iron intake was less than the recommended 15 mg per day. Conclusion: The present study indicates that iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in adolescent girls in Thailand. Health care programs in the schools should consider dietary behavior in order to reduce the prevalence of IDA in young women.