Evaluation of anemia in communities served by Shoulder to Shoulder Global: a cross-sectional study in Santo Domingo, Ecuador

Abstract

# Background Shoulder to Shoulder Global (STSG) recognizes anemia as a cause of morbidity among patients in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. Little research has been done to assess targetable anemia risk factors to serve as a foundation for future pharmacotherapeutic interventions. This study sought to characterize anemia in this population to lay the foundation for future preventive intervention. # Methods Cross-sectional data obtained from existing clinic records from 2010 to 2016 included hemoglobin/hematocrit, age, sex, pregnancy status, and respective community. Chi-square compared means to examine risk factors associated with anemia. Logistic regression and odds ratios (OR) were used to estimate risk factors associated with anemia. # Results Of the 1145 (86.2%) subjects with complete data for analysis, 67.2% were female, 33% were children under five, 1.6% were pregnant, and 42.8% were anemic. Subjects were distributed throughout the seven communities with 11.2% presenting from an indigenous community. Risk factors for anemia were age <5 years and presenting from the communities of Plan de Vivienda, Los Naranjos, or El Bua. Neither sex nor pregnancy were significantly associated risk factors with anemia. # Conclusions Risk factors for anemia in this population have not previously been determined. In this study, risk factors were age group <5 years and presentation from three different communities. This study pioneered the use of an electronic medical record database in this setting. A limitation of the study is its observational cross-sectional design with a study population that allows for selection bias. Additional research should evaluate the effectiveness of STSG health interventions on anemia.