Anemia
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Acceptance rate9%
Submission to final decision130 days
Acceptance to publication10 days
CiteScore3.900
Journal Citation Indicator0.470
Impact Factor2.9

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Anemia publishes original research articles and review articles on all types of anemia. Articles focus on patient care, health systems, and epidemiology, among other relevant topics.

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Research Article

Exploring Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease and HIV: A Comparative Analysis

Introduction. Paediatric HIV and sickle cell disease (SCD) are two stigmatising and potentially fatal illnesses that place a significant burden on families. HIV patients benefit from a longstanding free-service national programme in Cameroon, and this could considerably alleviate burden of care on HIV caregivers, possibly leading to better quality of life (QoL) in HIV caregivers compared to SCD caregivers. Our study aimed to compare the QoL between caregivers of children and adolescents with SCD and HIV and explore factors associated with this QoL in Cameroon. Methods and Materials. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional analytic study at Douala Laquintinie Hospital from February to May 2023. A questionnaire was administered to caregivers of paediatric patients (≤18 years) with SCD and HIV. The Pediatrics Quality of Life-Family Impact Module (PedsQL FIM), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the 9-item Patient Health Question (PHQ-9) tools were used as measures of quality of life, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors associated with quality of life. A significance level was set at . Results. We included 199 caregivers: SCD = 104 and HIV = 95. The mean age of caregivers in our sample was 40.47 ± 10.18 years. Caregivers of paediatric patients with HIV had a better mean quality of life than SCD (93.01 ± 7.35SD versus 64.86 ± 9.20SD, ). PHQ-9 score (B = −1.52, 95% CI = [-2.08; −0.96], ), GAD-7 score (B = −1.46, 95% CI = [-2.09; −0.83], ), spending less than 75 000 FCFA on medications monthly (B = 12.13, 95% CI = [5.73; 18.94], ), and being a SCD caregiver (B = −11.62, 95% CI = [-18.46; −4.78], ) were factors independently associated with quality of life on multivariable analysis. Conclusion. Quality of life is lower in caregivers of children and adolescents with SCD than with HIV. Preventing depression and anxiety as well as advocating for the subsidization of medications through a national SCD program may improve quality of life in SCD caregivers.

Research Article

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Associated Factors in a Blood Donor Population in Brazzaville, Congo

Introduction. Blood donation is not without risk to the donor. It results in a substantial loss of iron and decreased hemoglobin. In our country, no predonation assessment is carried out and the selection of blood donors is only clinical. Objectives. To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency, anemia, and iron deficiency anemia and to identify the factors associated with anemia and iron status in a blood donor population at the National Center for Blood Transfusion (NCBT). Methodology. A prospective study is carried out that consists of 120 blood donors in three NCBT branches in the capital from June to November 2021. The donors were divided into 3 groups: first time donors (FTDs), occasional donors (ODs) who have already made between 1 and 3 previous donations, and regular donors (RDs) with at least 4 previous donations. Iron deficiency was defined by a serum ferritin value of less than 30 ng/mL in men and 20 ng/mL in women. Anemia was defined by Hb levels below 13 g/dL in men and 12 g/dL in women. Iron deficiency anemia was defined by association of anemia and iron deficiency. The chi-square test was used for the comparison of the proportions. The odds ratio with the 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess the association between two variables. The value of the probability was considered significant for a value < 0.05. Results. Mean serum ferritin and hemoglobin values were lower in RD in both sexes. The prevalence of iron deficiency, anemia, and iron deficiency anemia were 16.66%, 31.66%, and 10.83%, respectively. The factors associated with the three abnormalities were female sex, donor type, including RD, and number of previous donations. Conclusion. Iron deficiency, anemia, and iron deficiency anemia are common among blood donors in Brazzaville. Anemia affects almost a third of blood donors and is not always linked to iron deficiency. Safety of donors should be improved by systematic measurement of ferritinemia and hemoglobin levels before allowing donations for appropriate management in the event of abnormalities.

Research Article

Burden of Anemia among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Adults on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy at Hawassa University Compressive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Background. Anemia is the most common hematologic abnormality associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and affects 60% to 80% of patients in late-stage disease. It has a considerable impact on the progression of HIV to advanced stages. This study aimed at assessing the burden of anemia in adult HIV-infected patients who are on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and have follow-up at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH) Antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic. Methods. A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted among HIV-positive adults on HAART at Hawassa University Compressive Specialized Hospital. The systematic sampling method was used to choose a total of 244 study participants. Data on demographic characteristics, related factors of anemia, latest hemoglobin, CD4, and ART regimens were collected using a structured data abstraction format. The data were cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 after being manually checked for completeness. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to detect elements associated with anemia. A value of <0.05 was used as a cutoff point to announce statistical significance. Results. The records of 244 patients were examined in total. Anemia was present in 29.9% (95% CI 23.8–35.2) among adult HIV patients. Female sex (AOR: 2.576, 95% (CI: 1.295–5.127)), having tuberculosis (TB) (AOR: 4.873, 95% (CI: 1.534–15.484)), taking a zidovudine (ZDV)-containing ART regimen (AOR: 5.216, 95% (CI: 1.239–21.962)), having clinical WHO stage IV and III diseases (AOR: 3.077, 95% CI (1.244–7.612)), having body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 (AOR: 2.391, 95% (CI: 1.138–5.023)), and taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (AOR: 3.860 95% (CI: 1.097–13.576)) were substantially linked to the development of anemia among adult HIV patients. Conclusion and Recommendation. This study showed that anemia is still a problem among HIV patients on HAART. The burden of anemia was found to be high among patients with advanced WHO clinical stages, having a BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2, TB/HIV coinfection, being on AZT-based ART regimens, and taking cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT). Consequently, it is suggested that early preventative interventions, such as serial hemoglobin follow-up, iron supplementation, and education about dietary consumption, be undertaken targeting the aforementioned groups. In addition, the preferred first-line ART regimen as per the latest national and WHO guidelines is recommended, especially for the above groups.

Research Article

Associated Factors of Cholelithiasis among Younger Children with Sickle Cell Disease at the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease in Brazzaville, Congo

Introduction. Chronic hemolysis predisposes sickle cell patients to the development of gallstones. Their frequency increases with age, but they may appear early in young children. In the absence of management, they expose the patient to complications that can hinder the quality of life and sometimes even death. This survey aimed to identify the associated factors of the occurrence of cholelithiasis. Materials and Methods. It was a case-control study carried out between January 2017 and June 2022 at the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) “Antoinette Sassou N’guesso” in Brazzaville. It concerned 37 children with cholelithiasis. Sociodemographic (socioeconomic status and diet) and clinical (body mass index, frequency of vasoocclusive crises and hospitalization for vasoocclusive crises, number of blood transfusion, and chronic complications) as well as hematological examination (type of SCD and blood count in the intercritical period) and hydroxyurea treatment were compared with those of 74 children with no clinical and radiographic signs of cholelithiasis. The chi-squared statistical test and the odds ratio were used for the comparison (). Results. The average age was 9.70 ± 1.73 years. The 10–12 age group was the most represented (22 cases or 59.45%), followed by 7- to 9-year-olds (12 cases or 32.43%). Three children (8.10%) were 6  years old. The sex ratio was 0.68 vs. 1.38. Factors associated with cholelithiasis were low socioeconomic status (83.78% vs. 45.95%; IC 95% 1.46−3.89; ), a higher number of blood transfusions (5.54 ± 1.22 vs. 2.46 ± 1.13; IC 95% 1.55−6.70; ), and irregular systematic monitoring (5.54 ± 1.22 vs. 2.46 ± 1.13; IC 95% 1.55−6.70; ). Conclusion. A national strategy to facilitate access to care for patients living with sickle cell disease is imperative. Moreover, emphasis should be placed on the prevention and early management of acute complications of SCD.

Research Article

Preterm Delivery and Neonatal Deaths among Anaemic Pregnant Women in the Bolgatanga Metropolis of Ghana

Preterm deliveries and neonatal deaths as functions of anaemia in pregnancy are of major public health interest. However, data on the prevalence of preterm deliveries and their association with mortality in anaemic pregnant women in the study area are scanty. Thus, the study sought to investigate the prevalence of preterm delivery and neonatal deaths among anaemic pregnant women in the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital in the Upper East Region of Ghana during the past five years. A retrospective study design was adopted, and data were gathered between March and May 2016. Records of women who were anaemic during any trimester of their pregnancy and delivered in the hospital within the last five years were included in the study. In all, two hundred (200) cases were reviewed. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and birth outcome of participants were captured, and analyses were conducted using SPSS version 21 while considering significant differences at . The study revealed that more than half of the anaemic women (52.5%, n = 105) had preterm deliveries, while neonatal mortality was 8.5% (n = 17). The proportion of mothers who received dietary or medical intervention for the treatment of anaemia and the number of attendances to antenatal clinics were comparable between preterm and normal-term mothers (). Mothers with preterm deliveries had a higher risk of neonatal mortality (AOR = 13.66, 95% CI = 1.65–113.30, and ). This study has shown that anaemia in pregnancy increases the risk of preterm delivery and neonatal death. It is recommended that extra care be given to pregnant women with anaemia, while further studies are conducted with a larger sample size to substantiate the claims made in this study.

Research Article

Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization and Autoimmunization in Blood Transfusion-Dependent Sickle Cell Disease and β-Thalassemia Patients in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia

Introduction. The risk of developing transfusion-related complications, especially alloimmunization, is an ongoing concern for transfusion-dependent patients. It is important to determine the rate of alloimmunization and autoimmunization in Al-Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia, where sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia incidence rates are the highest in Saudi Arabia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted to review the transfusion history of patients with SCD and thalassemia at the King Fahad Hospital (KFH) in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. 364 transfusion-dependent patients were included in this study. Results. Alloimmunization rates in patients with SCD and thalassemia were 16.7% and 11.97%, respectively, while autoimmunization rates in patients with SCD and thalassemia were 5.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The most frequent alloantibodies among the study participants were against Kell, Rh blood group systems. Conclusion. Blood transfusion-related alloimmunization and autoimmunization compromise the proper management of chronically transfused patients. Ideally, extended matched phenotyping should be implemented to prevent alloimmunization and reduce the risk of developing blood transfusion-related alloantibodies.

Anemia
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate9%
Submission to final decision130 days
Acceptance to publication10 days
CiteScore3.900
Journal Citation Indicator0.470
Impact Factor2.9
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