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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Iron deficiency anemia and its association with cognitive function among adolescents in the Ashanti Region - Ghana

Authors: Francis Agyemang Yeboah, Joyce Bioh, Benjamin Amoani, Alfred Effah, Ebenezer Senu, Oscar Simon Olympio Mensah, Alex Agyei, Samuel Kwarteng, Samuel Kwame Sopuruchi Agomuo, Stephen Opoku, Samuel Kekeli Agordzo, Ebenezer Krampah Aidoo, Samuel Asamoah Sakyi

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a global health concern, and has been associated with cognitive decline. However, very few studies have explored the association between IDA and cognitive function among Ghanaians. We assessed the association between IDA and cognitive function among adolescents in the Ashanti region, Ghana.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 250 adolescents from Kumasi, Ghana. Sociodemographic and dietary data were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire. Blood samples were drawn for estimation of ferritin and complete blood count. The Test of Non-verbal Intelligence (TONI-4) was used to assess cognitive function. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of cognitive function.

Results

The prevalence of IDA was 30.4%, which was higher among adolescents with poor cognitive performance test scores (CPTS) (71%). Being female [aOR = 0.32, 95% CI (0.10–0.99), p = 0.0480)], father having junior high education [aOR = 0.08, 95% CI (0.02–0.45), p = 0.0040)], being in a category B school [aOR = 0.26, 95% CI (0.09–0.81), p = 0.0200)] and C [aOR = 0.08, 95% CI (0.02–0.40), p = 0.0020)] and non-fruit consumption [aOR = 0.18, 95% CI (0.06–0.52), p = 0.0010)], were significantly associated with lower likelihood of having very good cognitive function. Moreover, ferritin (r = 0.451, p < 0.001) and hemoglobin (r = 0.402, p < 0.001) demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with CPTS.

Conclusion

The prevalence of IDA is high in our study population and was linked with poor cognitive function. Adolescents with IDA had low cognitive performance test scores. High levels of hemoglobin and ferritin showed a moderate correlation with higher cognitive performance. These findings suggest that adolescents’ cognitive function may be moderately influenced by IDA, highlighting the potential impact of iron status on cognitive outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
Iron deficiency anemia and its association with cognitive function among adolescents in the Ashanti Region - Ghana
Authors
Francis Agyemang Yeboah
Joyce Bioh
Benjamin Amoani
Alfred Effah
Ebenezer Senu
Oscar Simon Olympio Mensah
Alex Agyei
Samuel Kwarteng
Samuel Kwame Sopuruchi Agomuo
Stephen Opoku
Samuel Kekeli Agordzo
Ebenezer Krampah Aidoo
Samuel Asamoah Sakyi
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20640-4

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