The  prevalence and risk factors of microcytic hypochromic anaemia among students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A mini-review study: The prevalence and risk factors of anaemia

Salah Bakry; Mohamed  Elhefny

doi:10.54293/smhj.v2i2.34

Authors

Salah Bakry Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2389-7952
Mohamed A. Elhefny 1- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia. 2-Department of Cancer and Molecular Biology, NCI, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1034-0354

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v2i2.34

Keywords:

Anaemia, Microcytic Hypochromic Anaemia, Prevalence, Risk factors, Saudi Arabia, Students

Abstract

Background/aims: Anaemia encompasses a significant challenge to public health globally as well as nationally. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of microcytic hypochromic anaemia among school and university students in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods: PubMed and Google Scholar search from 2002 until 2021 were utilized for the data obtained. Overall, 56 articles were reviewed and critically appraised based on the eligibility criteria, and relevant articles were selected. Results: Fourteen studies were identified. The prevalence of anaemia among school students ranged from 11.6% to 23%, whereas the prevalence among university students ranged from 12.5% to 64%. Age, gender, mother’s education, BMI, smoking status, and occupational status were associated with the prevalence of anaemia. Furthermore, lifestyle, dietary habits, haemostatic defects, menorrhagia, high altitude, and physical activity were also correlated with the prevalence of anaemia. Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence of anaemia was found among school and university students.