Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in High School Girls in Semnan City

The purpose of this cross sectional study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among high school girls in Semnan city, 2002.

In this study, 402 students were selected from among 4900 students at fourteen high schools in Semnan city by simple random sampling method. Study was performed in two stages initially, blood test for determination of hemoglobin was performed for all of the 402 students and later, after primary analysis, those students that were anemic (Hb< 12 g/dL) were selected for the second stage of study wherein their serum iron, total iron bonding capacity and ferritin levels were measured. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as serum ferritin less than 15 ng/L, and or transferin saturation percent less than 16%.

The results showed that 38 students (9.5%) were anemic that 4.5% (18 students) had iron deficiency anemia. Also, there was no significant relationship between iron deficiency anemia and student's age, age of menarche and sports activities.

As there was no significant relationship between iron deficiency anemia and student's age, age of menarche and sports activities, further investigations are needed for determining other etiologic factors of iron deficiency anemia among high school girls in Semnan city