Estimativa da defi ciência de ferro e folato e fatores associados em uma população feminina

Estimate of iron and folate defi ciency and associated factors among a female population

Abstract

Objective: To identify related differences of biological, social, demographic, hematological, of food security and food
intake factors among a female population and to access the prevalence of anemia, iron and folate defi ciency. Methods:
It was a cross-sectional study with a non probabilistic sample procedure. 321 women, aged 15 to 49 years living in João
Pessoa, were included sampled in the context of the mandatory fl our fortifi cation in Brazil. Biological, social, demographic,
food security and food intake factors were surveyed. Haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were measured by
automated cell counter. Chi-square test was used for evaluating the associations, the Analyses of Variance test was used
for multiple comparison of hematological means and the post Hoc test Scheffe, with a signifi cance level of 5% and 95%
of confi dence interval. Results: The prevalences were 15,0% (CI95%:11,1%-18,9%) for anemia, 29,9% (CI95%:24,8%
34,9%) for macrocytosis and 9,0% (CI95%:5,9%-12,1%) for microcytosis. The adolescents had the best hematological
status and an inadequated food profi le. It was noticed a major prevalence of anemia among the women that did not go
to school. Conclusion: It was identifi ed signifi cant correlations with differentiated character in the sample and it was
estimated important prevalences of anemia, macrocytosis and microcytosis to subside future studies and the integral
assistence planning of women health, particularly in the adolescence.