Community screening for iron deficiency in reproductive aged women: Lessons learnt from Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Reproductive-aged women are at an increased risk of developing iron deficiency (ID). We aimed to develop a non-invasive screening tool to identify ID in women and assess the acceptability of screening.

Study design and methods

We screened women (age 18-49 years) in the community of Western Australia.

Primary outcome

acceptability of screening, assessed by the feasibility of recruiting the required sample size (n = 323).

Secondary outcomes

Hand grip strength, finger prick haemoglobin concentration (Hb), prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), diet, pregnancy history, blood donation, symptoms of ID and history of ID or anaemia (Hb < 120 g/L). Those with Hb <130 g/L and no history of iron therapy in the past 2 years were given refer

SUBMITTER: MacLean B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11753822 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature