Prevalence of Anemia Among Children and Adolescents in Rural Area of Khulais in Saudi Arabia.

Autor:	Madani BM; Family Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alsulami AM 2nd; Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Abu Alola IA; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alasmari SM; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Khoujah FM; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Andijani OM; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alhomrani MA; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alhomrani SS; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alquhaibi SS; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alsulami FS; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Ibrahim WA; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Abu Alola BA; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU., Alqarni AH; Medicine and Surgery, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, SAU.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Cureus [Cureus] 2022 Feb 04; Vol. 14 (2), pp. e21894. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Feb 04 (Print Publication: 2022).
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.21894
Abstrakt:	Introduction The decreased absolute circulating red blood cell count or the inability of red blood cells to meet physiological needs is called anemia. Anemia can affect mental health, learning capacity, and the ability to concentrate. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents living in the rural areas of Khulais, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study including 417 individuals was conducted at Khulais Hospital in the rural areas in Saudi Arabia to estimate the prevalence of anemia among children and adolescents. The inclusion criterion for the study was that participants must be Saudi citizens. Data for this study were collected in March 2021. The age of the children ranged from 7 to 11 years, whereas that of adolescent males and females was between 12 and 18 years. Results In total, the study included 147 male adolescents, 123 female adolescents, and 147 children participants. The overall prevalence of anemia among adolescents was high (39.1%). The prevalence of anemia was 44.9% (66/147), 46.3% (57/123), and 27.2% (40/147) in male adolescents (age 12-18 years), female adolescents (age 12-18 years), and children (age 7-11 years), respectively. Statistical analysis revealed an association between the prevalence of anemia and the increasing age of participants from rural areas. Conclusion The present study results indicate that the prevalence of anemia in the rural areas of Saudi Arabia is high. The high prevalence can be explained by several factors, such as parents' low socioeconomic status and living in rural areas, which limits the availability as well as different types of nutritious food and thereby negatively affects the nutritional status of such children and adolescents. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. (Copyright © 2022, Madani et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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