FREQUENCY OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN ADULTS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH RED BLOOD CELL INDICES AND VARIOUS RISK FACTORS AT MARDAN MEDICAL COMPLEX

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a major public health problem, particularly in developing countries, and is associated with adverse health and socioeconomic outcomes. Identifying its frequency and associated risk factors is crucial for improving prevention and management strategies. Objective: To determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in adults attending Mardan Medical Complex and to examine its association with red blood cell (RBC) indices and various demographic and dietary risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 207 adult patients. Data on demographics, body mass index (BMI), dietary intake patterns, and medical history were collected using structured questionnaires. Laboratory investigations included complete blood count and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) classification. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify significant predictors of IDA. Results: The overall frequency of IDA was 47.3% (n = 98). Females had a significantly higher prevalence than males (55.0% vs 36.8%, p = 0.008). IDA was strongly associated with underweight BMI (77.8%, p = 0.006) and microcytic MCV (<80 fL) (70.6%, p < 0.001). Dietary risk factors included low red meat intake (61.3% in IDA group), frequent tea/coffee consumption with meals (67.3%), and low vitamin C intake (44.9%). Logistic regression analysis showed that female sex (AOR = 2.10, p = 0.009), underweight BMI (AOR = 3.25, p = 0.041), low red meat intake (AOR = 2.85, p = 0.001), and microcytic MCV (AOR = 5.85, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of IDA, while iron supplementation was protective (AOR = 0.48, p = 0.038). Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent among adults in Mardan, particularly in women, underweight individuals, and those with poor dietary habits. Routine screening, nutritional education, and promotion of iron-rich diets and supplementation are recommended to reduce the burden of IDA.