Iron Deficiency Anaemia among Adolescent Males in Warri Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Little or no economic improvement in the local communities studied has
sustained poverty and causes growing inequality in health and nutrition
that affect the most vulnerable groups of the population, including children
and adolescents. This study is designed to determine the level of anaemia
and some of its determinants among adolescent males in Warri districts of
Delta State, Nigeria. Following informed consent, pretest counseling and
obtaining of required blood sample by venepuncture, serum iron is determined by photometric test for iron with lipid clearing factor (LCF). Haemogram is done by standard methods. Results indicate that 21.5% of the adolescent males had iron deficiency anaemia. The differences in the results for pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count, mean cell
haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) mean cell volume (MCV) and serum
iron between the anaemic and non-anaemic adolescent males were
statistically significant. It is therefore concluded that Anaemia is a significant
problem among the adolescent males. Measures to improve their nutritional
status and as well minimise malaria infection and worm infestation will
benefit the subjects.