Prevalence and distribution of iron deficiency, anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia and its level of severity in the populations of the Lekie Department in Cameroon
Downloads
Background : Anaemia is a major public health problem worldwide, affecting a quarter of the population. Iron deficiency is responsible for around 50% of anaemia cases worldwide. Cameroon is one of the countries most affected by this problem. Children under 5, pregnant women, women of childbearing age and the elderly are the most affected. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency, anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia and its level of severity according to socio-demographic parameters in the Department of Lékié. The aim is to provide up-to-date, detailed data that will enable us to better guide treatment.
Methods : A one-month cross-sectional study was carried out in the Lékié Department in collaboration with local health centres in both urban and rural areas. The study sample consisted of 361 participants of all ages and sexes. One or two drops of blood were collected in order to perform the anaemia test using a urit-12 haemoglobin device, and a questionnaire was developed to obtain information on participants' socio-demographic status. The assay of certain markers carried out on blood samples collected from the participants provided further information on anaemia.
Results: The prevalence of anaemia in the study population was 54.85%, higher than that of iron deficiency anaemia and martial deficiency. Mild anaemia was more prevalent, while severe anaemia was less prevalent. Of the many known forms of anaemia, anaemia due to martial deficiency was the most predominant in the study population (57.6%).
Conclusion : Anaemia in the Department of Lékié has passed the 40% mark, and is therefore, according to the WHO, a serious public health problem. This locality therefore requires special attention, but above all urgent intervention lest the situation deteriorate further.
Downloads
1. O.M.S. (2023). Accelerating anemia reduction : A comprehensive framework for action. Geneva : World Health Organization. Licence : CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
2. INS. (2019). National Institute of Statistics, Statistical Yearbook of Cameroon, 2019 Edition.
3. Cameroun-plus.com. (2024). Lekie Division, Center province.
4. Nkuo-Akenji TK, Ntonifor NN, Ndukum MB, Kimbi HK, Abongwa EL, Nkwescheu A, Anong DN, Songmbe M, Boyo MG, Ndamukong KN, Titanji VPK. (2006). Environnemental factors affecting malaria parasite prevalence in rural Bolifamba, South-West Cameroon. African Journal of Health and Science. (13): 40-46.
5. Makaba Ngoyi Alain R., Ilunga Kalonda Cosman, Ngoy Fatuma Sarah (2023). Food habits of rural households (villages : mweyi, kyavie and lwabo). Global Scientific Journals, 11 : 364-376.
6. Jutcha Florent Duclerc, Thierry Franck Ngnimi Hougnia2, Noel Nvogue3, Michel Noubom2, Nelson Fomulu. (2016). Prevalence of Ferriprive Anemia in Pregnant Women in Yaoundé. Health Sci. Dis : Vol 17 (1). www.hsd-fmsb.org.
7. National Institute of Statistics (INS) and ICF. (2020). Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Yaounde, Cameroon and Rockville, Maryland, USA : INS and ICF.
8. Koppert Georgius J.A., Honorine Rikong Adié, Sarah Gwangwa'a, Estelle Sajo Nana, Mirjam Matze, Patrick Pasquet, Alain Froment and Igor de Garine (1996). Food consumption in different ecological and economic zones of Cameroon. Food anthropology and development in intertropical Africa from the biological to the social. Paris, Orstom-l'Harmattan, pp. 237-254.
9. INS (2012). National Institut of Statistics Cameroon. Demographic and Health Survey. 2011. Calverton,Maryland, USA: INS and ICF International.
10. Yessoufou Abdou Ganiou, Justin Behanzin, Mélanie Ahokpe, Sénami Armistice Djinti, Raymond Bossou and Alphonse Sezan (2015). Prevalence of anemia in malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months hospitalized at the CHD/Zou-Collines in the Abomey plateau (Central Benin). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Science. 9(1) : 82-90.
11. Atipo-Tsiba Firmine Olivia Galiba, Earl Quincy Gayaba Mouyabi, Brunel Monic Angounda, Serge Oscar Mokono, Lethso Thibaut Ocko Gokaba and Alexis Elira Dokekias. (2023). Prevalence of Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Associated Factors in a Blood Donor Population in Brazzaville, Congo. Volume 2023, Article ID 8827984, 6 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8827984.
Copyright (c) 2025 Guy NOAH, Elie FOKOU, Fadimatou BEBBE, Eposi HADDISON, Gilbert Ghislain MBASSI MANGA, Raoul KEMZEU, Géneviève NOMO NGA, Brice Ulrich SAHA FOUDJO

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.