AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS LEADING TO A REDUCTION IN IRON-DEFICIENCY IN SWEDISH WOMEN

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (6) , 947-954
Abstract
The prevalence of Fe deficiency anemia among Swedish women of child-bearing age fell markedly since the mid-1960. At that time, populations studies in Goteborg and Uppsala [Sweden] showed that Fe deficiency anemia was present in about 25-30% of women. In population studies in Goteborg in 1968-1969 and 1974-1975, the prevalence in the same age group fell to 6-7%. Several factors might explain the improved Fe status. The levels of Fe fortification of flour was increased from 30 mg/kg of flour in 1943 to 65 mg in 1970, this increase adjusting the Fe intake to compensate for the lower energy requirement and expenditure of present-day living habits. There was a marked increase in the intake of Fe tablets and of tablets containing ascorbic acid. An analysis of various factors indicates that the 20-25% improvement in Fe status can be accounted for by increased use of oral contraceptives (3-4%), the impact of increased iron fortification (7-8%), the widespread use of ascorbic acid supplements (3%), and greater prescribing of iron tablets (10%). This analysis of the factors leading to the marked reduction in the prevalence of Fe deficiency anemia among Swedish women may be useful to public health planners in other countries with similar problems. Several factors need to be considered when planning controlled field trials and evaluating the results obtained. The methods used to analyze the impact of different factors on the reductin in Fe deficiency can be used to predict the effects of various public health measures on the Fe status of a population.