An Assessment of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Iron Deficiency Anaemia among Adolescent Girls at Madina Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Iron is found in every living cell and is involved in various metabolic activities, including oxygen transport and storage. The adolescent age is a particularly unique period in life because of its responsibility in contributing to intense physical, psychosocial, and cognitive development. UNICEF reports two billion people to suffer from anaemia globally, with a high number diagnosed with IDA, especially in underdeveloped/developing countries, where 40 to 50% of children under age 5 are iron deficient. Iron deficiency anaemia is a globally considered public health significance and is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of iron deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls at Madina Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to gather the needed data on potential risk factors that may result in iron deficiency anaemia in an adolescent girl child. Microsoft Excel was used as a tool for the input of the raw data before transferring it to Stata. Data were cleaned and summarized using medians, proportions, T-test mean comparison, and Chi-square test using Stata software to compare the variables. The Ethical Review Committee approved the ethical clearance, the Regional Health Directorate, and the LADMA before commencing the research. Results: The analysis revealed that among the 45.8% of girls diagnosed with anaemia, about 10% are also iron deficient. Stating the converse, 50% (12) are also anaemic among the girls diagnosed with iron deficiency. From the sample of 263 adolescent girls, those who were diagnosed with Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) are 12 teenage girls corresponding to about 4.56%. In summary, 4.56% of the adolescent girls in the sample may be diagnosed with Iron deficiency anaemia, 45.8% may be considered anaemic, and 9% may be regarded as iron deficient. Moreover, IDA is more prevalent among girls in the upper adolescent age group, those in secondary school. Conclusion: The present study reveals that anaemia among adolescent girls is a major health problem at the Madina Polyclinic. However, IDA was not the major cause of anaemia among adolescent girls at the Madina Polyclinic.