SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALepidemiology, public health

cross-sectional·epidemiology, public health, hematology, family medicine, internal medicine·PMC10289360

Anemia in an ethnic minority group in lower northern Thailand: A community-based study investigating the prevalence in relation to inherited hemoglobin disorders and iron deficiency

PLOS ONE · 7 authors, 6 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATION337 Karen ethnic minority adults aged over 18 years living in a rural area of lower northern Thailand

INTERVENTION

COMPARISON

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AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional community study of 337 Karen adults in Thailand found an overall anemia prevalence of 27.9%, with inherited hemoglobin disorders being a major contributing factor.

Full summary

335 CHARS

A cross-sectional community-based study investigated anemia burden among 337 Karen ethnic minorities in Thailand using laboratory diagnoses for anemia, inherited hemoglobin disorders (IHDs), and iron deficiency (ID). The overall anemia prevalence was 27.9%, with IHDs identified in 49.3% of participants and ID in 6.8% of those tested.

PICO

PPOPULATION

337 Karen ethnic minority adults aged over 18 years living in a rural area of lower northern Thailand

OOUTCOME

Prevalence of anemia, inherited hemoglobin disorders (IHDs), and iron deficiency (ID); risk factors for moderate-to-severe anemia

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

epidemiology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10289360

Anemia in an ethnic minority group in lower northern Thailand: A community-based study investigating the prevalence in relation to inherited hemoglobin disorders and iron deficiency

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Anemia is a globally well-known major public health problem. In Southeast Asia where there is ethnic diversity, both iron deficiency (ID) and inherited hemoglobin disorders (IHDs) are prevalent and are considered to be the major factors contributing to anemia. However, little is known about the anemia burden among the ethnic minorities. In this study, we determine the burden of anemia, in relation to ID and IHDs, among the Karen ethnic minorities living in the rural area of lower northern Thailand. Methods A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted at Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani province. Study participants included 337 Karen people aged over 18 years. Socio-economic and health-related information were obtained through interviews and recorded by local health staff. Anemia, IHDs and ID were diagnosed according to standard laboratory methods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors of moderate-to-severe anemia. Results The prevalence of overall anemia was 27.9% (95% CI = 23.2–33.0). Mild and moderate anemia were detected in 18.7% (95% CI = 14.7–23.3) and 8.9% (95% CI = 6.1–12.5) respectively. Severe anemia was found in one case (0.3%). Various forms of IHDs were identified in 166 participants, constituting 49.3% (95% CI = 43.8–54.7). The most common form of IHDs was α + -thalassemia (32.9%), followed by β-thalassemia (12.2%), α 0 -thalassemia (4.2%), hemoglobin E (3.9%), and hemoglobin Constant Spring (0.9%). Among 308 participants who were investigated for ID, the prevalence was discovered to be 6.8% (95% CI = 4.3–10.2). Analysis of risk factors of moderate-to-severe anemia revealed that individuals with ID, β-thalassemia and age > 65 years were at high risk with adjusted odds ratio of 17 (95% CI = 3.8–75.2), 6.2 (95% CI = 1.4–27.8) and 8.1 (95% CI = 1.6–40.4) respectively. Conclusions Anemia among the Karen is of public health significance; and IHDs are the major contributing factors. Because of the high risk of developing moderate-to-severe anemia, special attention should be paid to individuals affected with ID, β-thalassemia and the elderly. Public awareness of the health burden of severe thalassemia syndromes should also be campaigned.

CITATION EXPORT

Thinzar Win Pyae, Kanokwan Sanchaisuriya, Surasak Athikamanon et al.. Anemia in an ethnic minority group in lower northern Thailand: A community-based study investigating the prevalence in relation to inherited hemoglobin disorders and iron deficiency. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287527

AUTHORS

7 · 6 CENTRES

Thinzar Win Pyae, Kanokwan Sanchaisuriya, Surasak Athikamanon, Pattara Sanchaisuriya, Hataichanok Srivorakun, Attawut Chaibunruang, Supan Fucharoen

1Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
2Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (CMDL), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
3Boromrajonani College of Nursing Chai Nat, Chai Nat, Thailand
4Foundation of Community System Research and Development Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
5Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
6Menzies School of Health Research, AUSTRALIA