Iron deficiency anaemia prevalence in a population of immigrated women in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Martial deficiency and sideropenic anaemia are the most diffused deficiency pathologies in the world. WHO recommends preventive screening of the new immigrant population. No epidemiological data exist on its prevalence among migrant population in Italy.

METHODS: A transversal study was conducted at San Gallicano Hospital in Rome through laboratory screening on 821 migrant women and interviews on a sub-sample of 550 women (including socio-demographic, anamnestic and nutritional information).

RESULTS: The complete sub-sample (laboratory results and questionnaire) shows a 20.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.8-24.3] prevalence of anaemia and a 22.7% (95% CI 18.9-26.6) prevalence of sideropenia. Sideropenic anaemia was found in 11.5% (95% CI 8.5-14.4) of cases. Results are similar in the rest of the sample. There is significant association between anaemia and the clinical conditions of haemorrhoids [odds ratio (OR) 3.8; P < 0.000], hypermenorrhoea (OR 3.3; P < 0.000) and metrorrhagia (OR 5.9; P < 0.000). Africans were found to be at highest risk of anaemia (OR 5.5; P < 0.000). Feeding habits have a milder effect. Unemployed and low educated people are more likely to be affected by non-iron deficiency anaemia.

CONCLUSION: The observed prevalence of sideropenia and sideropenic anaemia is much greater than what the scientific literature reports for Western populations. Pathologies inducing bleeding and the country of origin (i.e. genetic factors, pre-existing conditions) appear to be associated with anaemia. Nutritional factors are less important because of an adequate nutritional income. Prevention programmes should then aim at screening larger samples for improving the access of migrants to health-care services.