Rodríguez S, Blanco A, Cunningham L, Ascencio M, Chávez M, Muñoz L
Instituto Costarricense de Investigación y Enseñanza en Nutrición y Salud Inciensa, Ministerio de Salud, Universidad de Costa Rica.
Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2001 Mar;51(1):19-24.
In 1996, The Ministry of Health and Inciensa conducted the latest National Nutrition Survey, to provide support and guidance to the national policies, plans and programs in the field of food and nutrition. The present paper reports the results for the prevalence of anemia estimated in a total of 884 women of reproductive age, in three areas: metropolitan area, other urban areas and rural areas. Anemia was determined through measurements of hemoglobin, plasma ferritin and plasma folates. In addition, hemoglobin patterns were determined by electrophoresis. The cutt-off points used were those recommended by the WHO. Anemia was present in 18.6% of the women. Severe to moderate deficiency of iron (< 12 ng/dl) and of folates (< 6 ng/dl) were found in 43.2 and 24.7% of women respectively, with statistically significant differences by area of residence. The magnitude of the problem for anemia can be classified as mild, for iron deficiency as severe, and for folate deficiency as moderate. In conclusion, Anemia represents a public health problem for Costa Rica that has remained constant throughout the last decade. In women of reproductive age, iron deficiency is the main cause of Anemia, followed by folates deficiency, and in a small percentage hemoglobinopathies. Intestinal parasites are not longer a mayor cause of Anemia. Prevalence of Anemia is influenced by place of residence, but not by age. In summary, despite the favorable health conditions present in Costa Rica, the prevalence of Anemia and of iron deficiency are similar to those of the Latin-American region. To improve this situation, public health interventions are necessary.
1996年，卫生部和因西恩萨公司开展了最新的全国营养调查，为食品和营养领域的国家政策、计划和项目提供支持与指导。本文报告了对884名育龄妇女进行贫血患病率估算的结果，这些妇女分布在三个地区：首都地区、其他城市地区和农村地区。通过测量血红蛋白、血浆铁蛋白和血浆叶酸来确定贫血情况。此外，通过电泳确定血红蛋白类型。采用的临界值是世界卫生组织推荐的。18.6%的妇女存在贫血。分别有43.2%和24.7%的妇女存在严重至中度缺铁（<12纳克/分升）和叶酸缺乏（<6纳克/分升），按居住地区划分存在统计学显著差异。贫血问题的严重程度可归类为轻度，缺铁为重度，叶酸缺乏为中度。总之，贫血是哥斯达黎加的一个公共卫生问题，在过去十年中一直持续存在。在育龄妇女中，缺铁是贫血的主要原因，其次是叶酸缺乏，还有一小部分是血红蛋白病。肠道寄生虫不再是贫血的主要原因。贫血患病率受居住地点影响，但不受年龄影响。总之，尽管哥斯达黎加有良好的健康状况，但贫血和缺铁的患病率与拉丁美洲地区相似。为改善这种情况，有必要采取公共卫生干预措施。
