Assessment of the Role of Dietary Habits in Causing and Preventing Anemia among Adult Patients at Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, Gezira State, Sudan (2021-2022)

Anemia remains a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries like Sudan. Dietary factors play a crucialrole in its etiology and prevention. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary habits and anemia among adult patients admitted in medical wards at Wad Madani Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients attending admitted in medical wards at Wad Madani Teaching Hospital during 2021-2022. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake, and hematological parameters were collected using a structured questionnaire and laboratory investigations. The results showed that most of the respondents live in Gezira State (69.9%) and the rest, in descending order, were from Sennar (15.7%), Gadarif (11.4%), Damazin (1.4), and South Kordofan (1.4%), States. The results showed statistically significant differences when using chi-square (p<0.05) for satistical analysis of the relationship between blood test for anemia and consumption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.258 and 0.258 respectively. The results showed no statistically significant relationship when using chi-square (p<0.05) for the relationship between income and consumption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins 0.274, 0.230, 0.768, 0.729 and 0.238 respectively. It was concluded that, Individuals who consumed insufficient amounts of vitamins, proteins, minerals had a higher rate of anemia. Income does not play a major role in determining the consumption of these essential nutrients. The study recommended that well-planned diet with enough iron and vitamins can help to prevent and correct anemia.