Anaemia is a major public health problem in Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of anaemia in adults in rural and urban areas of Tanzania with particular respect to males. A total of 8579 subjects aged 15 years and over were investigated in 8'rural villages from 3 regions and another 1458 in 2 urban areas in Dar es Salaam. Of males, 29.8% were anaemic (Hb<13 g/dl) in the most prosperous rural area, 47.9% in the city, and 73.5% and 79.9% in the two poorer rural areas. In the latter, 25.1% and 26.3% had values below 11 g/dl. Equivalent values for females were 25.8%, 62.6% (urban), 80.5% and 80.1% (Hb<12 g/dl) with 2.1%, 16.5% (urban), 16.9% and 26.8% less than 10 g/dl. Pregnant women (n = 257) had significantly lower Hb levels than non-pregnant females. In males anaemia was more prevalent in the old. The prevalence of anaemia was higher in the poorer rural areas than in most previously reported studies in Africa. In particular our results emphasize that anaemia is a major problem in males in Tanzania and could have a significant economic and health impact.