Prevalence of Anemia in Iranian Children: Findings of a Clinical Screening Survey at School Entry

Anemia is one of the most popular hygiene problems in the world which is accompanied by disturbance of growth and development، reduction of intelligence quotient، and education problems specially for children and teens. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia in students and to indentify the stricken and endangered people in Iran. In this cross-sectional descriptive study، through students examination program، all of the first grade students in three school levels in all over the country were examined in aspect of different disturbances including anemia. Clinical signs of anemia in physical examination were considered as evidence of being anemic. Data collecting was done using registered information in students'' health identity document (ID) cards. The prevalence of anemia was 4. 5% for students، 5. 5% for girls، 3. 5% for boys، 4. 6% in urban areas، and 4. 1% in rural areas. Prevalence of anemia for the first grade students of primary، secondary، and high school was 4. 8%، 4. 5%، and 4. 1%، respectively. Prevalence of anemia in students، especially in first grade of primary school، is worrying; this shows the importance of exact recognition and identification of endangered persons with wide- spread، steady and high-sensitive screening programs. Planning and performing suitable programs for prevention and treatment of disease in society and schools is essential، too.