A Cross-Sectional Study on the Burden of Anemia Among Late Adolescent and Young Adult Females in Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Anemia remains a significant health concern among adolescent and young adult females, impacting hematological profiles and overall wellbeing. This study assessed the prevalence and characterization of anemia among 100 female patients aged 15 to 22 years. Hematological analyses revealed an anemia prevalence of 51%, with patients classified into several subtypes based on WHO guidelines and red blood cell indices: normal complete blood counts (35.3%), microcytic anemia (35.3%), iron deficiency anemia (19.6%), normocytic anemia (15.7%), and severe microcytic anemia (9.8%). Hemoglobin levels ranged from 7.5 to 14.3 g/dL, with the most severe cases exhibiting levels below 8 g/dL. Microcytic anemia and iron deficiency anemia were marked by reduced mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hypochromia evidenced by decreased mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and elevated red cell distribution width (RDW), indicating anisocytosis. Normocytic anemia displayed normal MCV with decreased hemoglobin, suggesting heterogeneous etiologies including chronic disease and hemorrhagic events. White blood cell and platelet counts remained within normal limits, minimizing confounding inflammatory or infectious conditions. The predominance of iron deficiency anemia underscores the urgent need for targeted nutritional and clinical interventions in this demographic. These findings emphasize the heterogeneity of anemia subtypes and the critical role of detailed hematological profiling in guiding effective diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords:  Prevalence, Anemia, hematological profiles, microcytic anemia and iron deficiency anemia.