Prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency at different levels of urbanization in Vanuatu.

Mean haemoglobin and plasma iron levels and prevalences of anaemia and iron deficiency were determined in three population samples of Vanuatuans aged 20 or more years as part of a noncommunicable diseases survey in 1985. The three samples were drawn from separate urban, semirural and rural populations. Age-adjusted mean haemoglobin levels were highest in the urban sample and lowest in the rural sample, and plasma iron levels were highest in the urban sample and lowest in the semirural sample. Mean values in each location were generally higher in male subjects than in nonpregnant female subjects. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 10.1% in nonpregnant female subjects and 5.3% in male subjects by World Health Organization (WHO) definitions. These prevalences are lower than those reported for most other developing countries, including some Pacific island nations. Iron deficiency was more prevalent in females than in males (females 17.2%; males 5.0%). Approximately 40% of anaemic subjects were also iron deficient, and there was a significant positive correlation of plasma iron levels with haemoglobin concentration. This suggests that haemoglobinopathies may not be a major cause of anaemia as previously reported. Although most anaemic subjects (88%) had only mild anaemia, in view of the physical lifestyle of rural and semirural Vanuatuans it would be important to optimize haemoglobin levels in these populations.