Prevalence of anemia and associated factors in elderly residing in Peruvian households

© 2015, Instituto Nacional de Salud. All rights reserved. Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of anemia and associated factors in elderly residing in Peruvian households. Materials and methods. the study deals with a cross-sectional design and was conducted in 2011. The sample was probabilistic, stratified and multistage independent in department of Peru. The required sample housing was 5792, we included 2172 elderly. We asked informed consent of all elderly. The anemia was defined as hemoglobin <13.0 g / dL in men and <12.0 g / dL in women, hemoglobin was adjusted for altitude. The anthropometric measurements were performed according to methodology MINSA/INS. The Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index. The classification of nutritional status: underweight (BMI≤23,0) (BMI>23 to <28), overweight (BMI≥28 to <32.0) and obesity (BMI≥32). Statistical analysis was performed using complex samples and adjusted by the weighting factor. We Calculated means, proportions. The chi-square and regression logistic. Results. The mean hemoglobin was 13.4 ± 1.6 g / dL. The prevalence of anemia was 23,3% (mild anemia 17.1%, moderate: severe 5,7% and 0,5%). The age 70 to 79 years (OR 1.5; CI 95%:1.1; 2.0),> 80 years (OR 2.1; CI 95%: 1.4; 3.0) and thinness (OR 1.7; CI 95%: 1.2, 2.3) associated with anemia. Ayacucho, Ancash, Lambayeque and Apurimac were the departments with the highest prevalence of anemia. Conclusions. Approximately one quarter of elderly were anemic, being more prevalent in the illiterate, rural and poor. Older age and thinness are associated with anemia in elderly Peruvians.