PREVALENCE OF SERUM FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY AND DEMONSTRATION OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AMONG POPULATION OF THARPARKAR SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Folate or vitamin B9 is essential for synthesis of DNA and maintenance of erythropoiesis. Deficiency of folic acid leads to macrocytic anaemia, cognitive impairments, cardiovascular diseases and obstetric complications. The present study was aimed to identify the prevalence of serum folic acid deficiency and to demonstrate haematological parameters among lactovegetarians and non-vegetarian population of village Chachro, district Tharparkar of Sindh province. Methods: A community based descriptive cross-country sectional study was conducted during 2016 with 200 apparently healthy males and females either lactovegetarian or non-vegetarian aged between 15-55 years. Venous blood samples were collected for CBC and serum folic acid levels. Samples were labelled properly, cold chain was maintained and samples were then transferred to Dow diagnostic research laboratory. Sample size was collected by using Open EPI software and data was analysed by using SPSS version 16.0. Results: The mean age of participants with SD was 30.5± 8.36 and 30.13± 9.22 for lactovegetarian and non-vegetarian group respectively. Prevalence of decrease haemoglobin 22(22%) and serum folic acid 23(23%) was higher among non-vegetarians. Serum folic acid levels (p=0.002) and haemoglobin levels (p=0.01) were significantly low in non-vegetarian group. However erythrocyte count (p=0.01), total leukocyte count (p=0.01), neutrophil count (p=0.001), lymphocyte count (p=0.00) and monocyte count (p=0.002) was significantly low in lacto-vegetarian group. Conclusions: Our study concluded increased prevalence of decrease haemoglobin and serum folic acid levels among non-vegetarian population. However, erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and monocyte count was high among non-vegetarian group as compared to lactovegetarians.