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. 2024 Nov 19;24(1):3209.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20640-4.

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

Francis Agyemang Yeboah  1 , Joyce Bioh  2 , Benjamin Amoani  3 , Alfred Effah  4 , Ebenezer Senu  1   5 , Oscar Simon Olympio Mensah  1 , Alex Agyei  2 , Samuel Kwarteng  1 , Samuel Kwame Sopuruchi Agomuo  1 , Stephen Opoku  6 , Samuel Kekeli Agordzo  1 , Ebenezer Krampah Aidoo  7 , Samuel Asamoah Sakyi  1
Affiliations

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

Francis Agyemang Yeboah et al. BMC Public Health. .

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.

Keywords: Adolescents; Cognitive function; Iron deficiency; anemia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH IRB/AP/082/22). Prior to the commencement of the study, the study was explained thoroughly to participants, written inform consent was obtained from participants who were 18 years and above, and from parents/guardians of participants who were below 18 years. Moreover, written assent forms were obtained from those below 18 years. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia among adolescents recruited in the study
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cognitive test scores of study participants, very good (≥ 60%), good (40–59%) and poor (< 40%)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Spearman correlation between weight (A-B), height (C-D), BMI (E-F) and levels of hemoglobin and ferritin
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Cognitive performance test scores stratified by IDA status
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Correlation between (A) ferritin, (B) hemoglobin and cognitive performance test score (CPT)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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