Epidemiology of micronutrient deficiencies in agricultural reproductive-aged female workers in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Deficiencies of micronutrients, especially iron, folate, and vitamin B 12 , among women of reproductive age are known causes of serious maternal and child health problems. The purpose of this study was to find out the prevalence of anemia, and vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies and risk factors among reproductive-aged married women in an agricultural population . A cross-sectional study was conducted on the random sample of 749 reproductive age women in nine provinces of the southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey in 2013. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied for the data analysis. The results indicated that 36%, 24.3%, and 1.6% of the women had anemia, vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies, respectively. Seasonal agricultural workers, illiterate women, and those living in rural areas had a higher prevalence of anemia, and micronutrient deficiencies after analysis of the confounders. These data indicated the necessity of a public health program for the prevention and early diagnosis of micronutrients including enhanced biological surveillance systems, developed B 12 monitoring program, and community empowerment programs to decrease micronutrients deficiencies in agricultural reproductive age women. Keywords: Anemia, B12 and folate deficiencies, Agricultural reproductive aged women