Prevalence of Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Women in a Public Hospital of Brasilia, DF

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia translates itself as tissue hypoxia caused
by deficient oxygen transport, with a high prevalence in women of
reproductive age in Brazil.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of iron‑deficiency anemia
in women of reproductive age treated in a public hospital of the
Federal District.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study
based on data from the medical records of women assisted at the
Emergency Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Regional
Hospital of Asa Norte (HRAN), from September to October 2013. For
the classification of anemia, we considered three levels of hemoglobin
(Hb) below 11.7 g/dl, according to the reference values of the Urgency
Laboratory. Thus, women were divided into two groups: anemic and
non‑anemic, with a further analysis of the type of anemia.
Results: There was an average of Hb equal to 12.40 g/dL (±1.62).
It was observed that the group of anemic women (Group 1) consisted
of 43 women (28.6 %), and Group 2 (non‑anemic, with Hb ≥ 11.7 g/
dL) was composed of 107 patients (71.4%). By separating the samples
by age, we found an average of 12.15 g/dL (± 1.62) in the hemoglobin
level of women aged 15 to 24, thus presenting the lowest average in
relation to the age group above 24 years old. It was observed that 5.3%
(n =08) of the sample had microcytic anemia, and that 50% (n=04)
had hypochromic microcytic anemia.
Conclusion: A moderate prevalence was found in women of reproductive
age. In Brazil, more precisely in the Midwest, there are few
studies reporting on the prevalence in this population, which evinces
the need for further studies.