-
Anaemia and its management: Pharmacists Module 5, 2023
Anaemia is not a diagnosis but a symptom or presentation of an underlying disease.
It is a condition in which the number of red blood cells (and consequently their
oxygen-carrying capacity) is low and insufficient to meet the body’s needs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anaemia is a major public health
concern, mainly affecting young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and
menstruating adolescent girls and women in developing countries.
Anaemia can result from a wide range of conditions, often with multiple mechanisms
at play. For example, anaemia can be caused by poor nutrition, infections, chronic
disease, heavy menstruation, and pregnancy issues. It is often caused by a lack of
iron in the blood.
Anaemia is preventable and treatable. It is important to identify the underlying cause
and then ensure early, appropriate management. This module discusses anaemia,
with a focus on iron deficiency anaemia and its prevention and management in
a primary healthcare setting.
