European Journal of Public Health
Volume 22, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 256-262

Iron deficiency anaemia prevalence in a population of immigrated women in Italy (Article) (Open Access)

Morrone A.* , Nosotti L. , Piombo L. , Scardella P. , Spada R. , Pitidis A.
  • a Department of Preventive Medicine of Migration, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy, Nutritional Health Promotion Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • b Department of Preventive Medicine of Migration, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • c Nutritional Health Promotion Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • d Nutritional Health Promotion Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • e Nutritional Health Promotion Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • f Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Background: Martial deficiency and sideropenic anaemia are the most diffused deficiency pathologies in the world. WHO recommends preventive screening of the new immigrant population. No epidemiological data exist on its prevalence among migrant population in Italy. Methods: A transversal study was conducted at San Gallicano Hospital in Rome through laboratory screening on 821 migrant women and interviews on a sub-sample of 550 women (including socio-demographic, anamnestic and nutritional information). Results: The complete sub-sample (laboratory results and questionnaire) shows a 20.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.8-24.3] prevalence of anaemia and a 22.7% (95% CI 18.9-26.6) prevalence of sideropenia. Sideropenic anaemia was found in 11.5% (95% CI 8.5-14.4) of cases. Results are similar in the rest of the sample. There is significant association between anaemia and the clinical conditions of haemorrhoids [odds ratio (OR) 3.8; P<0.000], hypermenorrhoea (OR 3.3; P<0.000) and metrorrhagia (OR 5.9; P<0.000). Africans were found to be at highest risk of anaemia (OR 5.5; P<0.000). Feeding habits have a milder effect. Unemployed and low educated people are more likely to be affected by non-iron deficiency anaemia. Conclusion: The observed prevalence of sideropenia and sideropenic anaemia is much greater than what the scientific literature reports for Western populations. Pathologies inducing bleeding and the country of origin (i.e. genetic factors, pre-existing conditions) appear to be associated with anaemia. Nutritional factors are less important because of an adequate nutritional income. Prevention programmes should then aim at screening larger samples for improving the access of migrants to health-care services. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

iron deficiency anemia Outpatients risk human middle aged Odds Ratio statistics feeding behavior outpatient Humans Anemia, Iron-Deficiency Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors risk factor Risk Factors socioeconomics questionnaire prevalence Article Questionnaires adult migration age Food Habits Age Factors Italy
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84859797546&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fckq144&partnerID=40&md5=c6f49b531271306474a2f966ea577a3e
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckq144
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English