15/02/2026
It’s
Iron deficiency anaemia is an important public health problem that impacts over one-third of the population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, accounting for
🔵34.9% of women of reproductive age (between 15–49 years)
🔵42.7% of children under 5👦🏾👧🏾
🔵36.8% of pregnant women🤰🏾
Children under 5 years of age, particularly infants and children under 2 years of age, are among the most vulnerable to . In severe cases, anaemia can cause poor cognitive and motor development in children., may lead to irreversible effects on brain development and learning.
Consistent heavy menstrual losses, maternal blood volume expansion during pregnancy, and blood loss during and after childbirth, particularly in cases of postpartum haemorrhage, commonly lead to anaemia.
can affect school performance as it makes developmental delays and behavioural disturbances, such as decreased:
🔵motor activity
🔵social interaction
🔵attention to tasks
In adults, can have negative effects including fatigue, impaired physical performance and decreased work productivity, less overall quality of life as well as impacting social activities
Common and non-specific symptoms of anaemia include:
🔵tiredness
🔵dizziness or feeling light-headed
🔵cold hands and feet
🔵headache
🔵shortness of breath, especially upon exertion
Severe anaemia can cause more serious symptoms including:
🔵pale mucus membranes in the mouth, nose etc.
🔵pale skin including under fingernails
🔵rapid breathing and heart rate
🔵dizziness when standing up
What causes anaemia?
🔵Inherited red blood cell disorders
🔵Deficiency of nutrients: iron, vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12 or riboflavin
🔵Chronic diseases, many of them may cause inflammation & lead to anaemia
🔵Heavy menstruation & pregnancy related issues
🔵HIV
🔵Parasitic infections
Dietary changes can help reduce anaemia in some cases by:
🔵Eating food rich in iron, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A and other essential nutrients
🔵Eating a healthy and varied diet
🔵Taking supplements when recommended by health professionals
Other health conditions can cause anaemia so make sure to:
🔵get vaccinated to prevent infections that can contribute to anaemia
🔵treat infections
🔵manage chronic diseases, such as obesity & digestive problems
🔵manage inherited red blood cell disorders
🔵treat heavy menstruation & haemorrhage
🔵wait at least 24 months between pregnancies.
