The prevalence of anaemia among Saudi school girls: a comparison of two techniques
| Published date | 04 April 2016 |
| Date | 04 April 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-12-2015-0056 |
| Pages | 82-88 |
| Author | Elham Abbas Aljaaly,Nahlaa Abduwahab Khalifa |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
The prevalence of anaemia
among Saudi school girls: a
comparison of two techniques
Elham Abbas Aljaaly and Nahlaa Abduwahab Khalifa
Department of Clinical Nutrition, King Abdulaziz University,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Purpose –Continuous integration of health screens to investigate and track variations in the students’
healthiness over time is essential. However, the sustainability of this practice remains challenging.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the prevalence of anaemia based on haemoglobin (Hb)
estimation among Saudi school girls in Jeddah city by examining capillary and venous blood.
Design/methodology/approach –The design is investigative, using primary data to define the
prevalence of anaemia based on two techniques. Samples of venous (n¼408) and capillary (n¼797)
blood from Saudi school girls in Jeddah city was collected and compared using: Reflotron Plus System
method(capillary blood) and ABX MICROS60-OT Automated HaematologyAnalyser for (venous blood).
Findings –When the capillary blood was used, the prevalence of anaemia was 40 per cent (n¼319 out
of 797). Using the venous blood, the prevalence was 29.4 per cent (n¼120 out of 408). Comparison
of Hb data for both tests showed a significant difference in Hb levels with levels between the 10g and
12 g/dl particularly and both measurements demonstrated good agreement (ICC ¼0.87, 95 per cent
CI (0.845, 0.892)).
Research limitations/implications –The data were collected only in Jeddah city. Further studies
should include a national sample that is representative of both gender from different backgrounds and
geographical areas in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Practical implications –The high prevalence of anaemia within the school girls’population require
decision makers to devise a set of maintainable projects to progress students’general health, including
health education and supplementation such as iron, particularly if anaemia is diagnosed to be
nutrition-related. This particularly applied to the health centres at female schools that have anaemia
screening programmes that going on in Saudi schools.
Originality/value –This study reveals a technique-based measures of anaemia prevalence that have
public and practical health implications.
Keywords Saudi Arabia, Anaemia, Capillary, Haemoglobin, School girls, Venous blood
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
School health is a security in a country’s future and in the capacity of its people to
succeed economically and as a society. Consequently, good health is essential inp uts
and important outcomes of basic education. Children must be in good physical shape to
fully take part in education and gain its greatest benefits. In addition, an early detection
of health status for school children can help prevent complications for different
diseases (UNESCO, 2002).
Anaemia is reflected as a public health problem in nations of the Eastern Meditation
Region, with prevalence figures varying from 14 to 42 per cent among adolescents
(Bagchi, 2004).
Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration is the most common test used in screening anaemia.
The correct interpretation of Hb values requiresthe considered changing factors such as
age and gender in selecting appropriate cut-off values. Interpretive reference data of Hb
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 13 No. 2, 2016
pp. 82-88
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-12-2015-0056
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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