Iron deficiency and associated anemia are severe public health problems, which are prevalent in the developing world. We conducted a cross-sectional survey, comprised of written interview questions and laboratory analysis of blood biomarkers, in Kandal Province, Cambodia. The objective of this study is to examine possible factors that are associated with anemia in rural Cambodia. Data on socioeconomic status, water source/treatment practices, and meat consumption was also collected. Of the 297 women surveyed, 51.2% were anemic. Of those women found to be anemic, iron deficiency was implicated in 9.7% of cases (SF <15 ng/L), with an additional 18.5% reported to be borderline iron deficient (serum ferritin=15-30 ng/L). Meat consumption was very low, with nearly one-half of the women consuming meat one time per month or less. This study highlights the multi-faceted etiology of anemia in Cambodia and emphasizes the need for comprehensive nutrition surveying in order to better inform prevention and treatment programming and policy development.
缺铁性贫血是发展中国家一个严重的公共卫生问题。我们在柬埔寨干丹省做了 一个横断面调查，有书面问卷和血样分析。本研究的目标是检测柬埔寨农村与 贫血相关的潜在因素。同时也收集了社会经济状况、水来源/处理措施和肉类消 费数据。接受调查的297 名妇女中，51.2%患有贫血。这些贫血的妇女中，9.7% 缺铁（血清铁蛋白<15 ng/L），还有18.5%是临界缺铁（血清铁蛋白=15-30 ng/L）。肉类消费很少，将近一半的妇女每月仅摄入一次或少于一次的肉类。 本研究重点在于对柬埔寨贫血的多元病因分析，强调了营养普查的必要性，以 便更好地发展防治规划和政策。.