The Prevalence of Anemia in Working Women

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-08, Vol.15 (8), p.e44104-e44104
• Main Authors: Shah, Shahtaj A, Soomro, Umar, Ali, Ovais, Tariq, Yumna, Waleed, Madeeha Subhan, Guntipalli, Prathima, Younus, Nadia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age groups; Anemia; Classification; Diet; Education; Female employees; Hemoglobin; Internal Medicine; Iron; Monitoring systems; Nutrition; Population; Productivity; Public Health; Questionnaires; Womens health
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44104

Introduction: Anemia can be defined as a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells (RBCs). It is becoming a growing socioeconomic issue. It is important to identify the causes of anemia and educate people about its symptoms. This can aid in the early identification and diagnosis of anemia, thereby preventing the disease’s complications. The complications of anemia include the risk of low birth weight, prematurity, prenatal and neonatal mortality, and maternal mortality.Objective: The objective of the study is to investigate the factors contributing to anemia among working-class women employed in government or private sectors located in Karachi, Pakistan. By identifying the causes and risk factors of anemia, participants can be counseled to adopt a healthier lifestyle, a well-balanced diet, and activities that may eliminate the causes of anemia, further preventing the incidence of anemia. The objectives of the study are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART). The study was conducted from November 2019 to August 2021 despite facing COVID-19-related restrictions. The sample size fit the inclusion criteria, and the objectives were accomplished successfully with adequate resources.Methodology: The cross-sectional study was conducted after receiving clearance from institutions and consent from participants. A total of 180 participants provided consent after receiving a thorough explanation of the study, and they had the right to refuse to participate. In respect of confidentiality, the participants were not required to provide their names, as they were not included in our data analysis. The inclusion criteria included women of the working class, aged 18-45 years, working a minimum of four to five hours per week, and employed in government or private sectors located in Karachi, Pakistan. The exclusion criteria included women with bleeding or hematological disorders, a history of surgery in the last 12 months, pregnancy, or systemic disease. Data collection was divided into two sections: section one (questionnaire) and section two (investigations). The questionnaire was given to each participant via Google Forms and was filled out before section two of data collection, which included blood tests via a finger prick to measure hemoglobin with a Veri-Q Multi Meter hemoglobin monitoring system (manufactured by Q-line BIOTECH, New Delhi, India).Results: The mean Hb was 11.15 ± 1.29 mg/dl (n = 180). The study revealed tha