The efficacy of oral iron treatment in Somalian nonpregnant female patients with mild/moderate iron deficiency anemia.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral ferrous sulfate therapy in non-pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia in Somalia, which is one of the poorest and undeveloped countries in the world. Study Design:  Cross Sectional. Setting: Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia. Period: December 2018 to June 2019. Material & Methods: The study included 117 ambulatory females between 18 and 41 years with iron deficiency anemia diagnosed with a hemoglobin level between 9 and 12g/dL and a serum ferritin level below of 15 ng/ml. The patients received ferrous sulfate 200 mg twice daily. Hemoglobin levels of the patients were measured at 2,4,8, and 12 weeks after the start of treatment, and ferritin levels were measured at 4,8 and 12 weeks. Results: The mean baseline hemoglobin and ferritin values were 9.71+1. 01 g/dl and 6.59+3,63 ng/ml, respectively. After 2,4,8 and 12 weeks of treatment, the mean hemoglobin values were increased to 10.58 g/dl, 11.53g/dl, 12.24g/dl and 12.85 g/dl, respectively. At 12 weeks, 79% of participants had normalized hemoglobin concentrations. (>12 gr/dl). Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study also demonstrated that in patients with mild-moderate IDA oral ferrous sulfate is an effective and better-tolerated treatment. At the same time, oral ferrous sulfate treatment is cost-effective.