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Hakami W, Dobie G, Alneami KA, Shaabi M, Essawi K, Saboor M, Madkhali AM, Nahari MH, Almasoudi HH, Akhter MS, Hakami FH, Zarbatan FA, Hakamy A, Chandika RM, Fageehi AA, Mobarki AA, Hamali HA. Assessing Nutritional Anemia Among University Students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Public Health Perspective. J Blood Med 2024; 15:51-60. [PMID: 38352049 PMCID: PMC10863464 DOI: 10.2147/jbm.s436673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Nutritional anemia is a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly affecting young adults and children in Saudi Arabia, where inadequate nutrition is considered a primary contributing factor. This study aims to (i) examine the levels of serum iron, folate, and vitamin B12 in young adult students, with a focus on identifying any deficiencies and their association with anemia; (ii) explore the prevalence of mixed-deficiency anemia resulting from deficiencies in serum iron, folate, and vitamin B12 (iii) explore how sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits influence serum iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study encompassed 158 young adult students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. Blood samples were collected following a comprehensive questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and health characteristics. These samples were analyzed for complete blood count, serum iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. Results The findings of this study revealed a significant decrease in serum iron levels, with 70.6% of males and 88% in females exhibiting reduced level. Additionally, low levels of folate were observed in 4% of the study population, while deficiency in vitamin B12 was found in 2.2% of the study population. However, the simultaneous presence of low serum iron levels along with deficiencies in folate or vitamin B12 was not observed in the study participants. Conclusion The study indicates that there is a high incidence of low serum iron and ferritin levels among university students in Saudi Arabia, which poses a considerable public health concern. Conversely, the prevalence of folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies among the students was comparatively low, and notably, there were no cases where these deficiencies were observed alongside iron deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Hakami
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gasim Dobie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khadija A Alneami
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Misk Shaabi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Essawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Saboor
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aymen M Madkhali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H Nahari
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan H Almasoudi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad S Akhter
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fasial H Hakami
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah A Zarbatan
- Respiratory Care Department, King Fahad Central Hospital, Jazan, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Hakamy
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Gizan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rama M Chandika
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Fageehi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A Mobarki
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan A Hamali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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