Iron deficiency anemia in Tarahumara women of reproductive-age in NorthernMexico

Objective. To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) amon g Tarahumara women of reproductive age. Material and Methods.A cross-sectio nal survey was conducted in a representative sample of 481 women aged 12-49 years, residents of Guachochi Municipality, Chihuahua, from June to Septem ber 1998. The hemoglobin (Hb) level was measured in capillary blood using t he Hemocue technique, and the serum ferritin level in capillary serum spott ed on filter paper, in a sub-sample of women. Central tendency and dispersi on measures were estimated; the Chi-squared test was used to test differenc es in proportions and ANOVA and Bonferroni's test for differences in means. Results. Prevalence of anemia (mean Hb +/-S.D.) was 16.1 % (140 +/- 16 g/l ) and 25.7% (129 +/- 12 g/l) for non-pregnant and pregnant women, respectiv ely. Pregnant women in the 3rd trimester and those who were breast-feeding their children during the first 6 months after delivery had the highest pre valence of anemia (38.5% and 42.9%, respectively). Iron deficiency was resp onsible for most of the anemia found in this sample. Conclusions. This stud y provides relevant information for the development of intervention program s to treat and prevent IDA in this ethnic group.The English version of this paper is available too at: http:// www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.