Authors (including presenting author) :
Sun Man Ping (1) Tse Man Ha (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Hong Kong Credible Care Volunteers Association
Keyword 1: :
Iron-Deficiency Anaemia
Keyword 2: :
Nurses Voluntary Groups
Keyword 3: :
Grassroots Communities
Introduction :
The Hong Kong Population Health Survey 2020-22 showed that the overall prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia among the local population aged 15-84 was ~ 5.7% and is classified as a "mild magnitude of public health problem" according to the WHO guidelines. An overseas study found that elderly over 50 with iron-deficiency anemia have a 58% higher risk of death than healthy individuals. Iron- deficiency anaemia can largely be prevented by eating a balanced and varied diet with iron-rich food items and be alert of iron absorption blockers for elderly without chronic disease. To enhance the health awareness and self-care ability of the elderly for prevention of iron-deficiency anaemia, Hong Kong Credible Care Volunteers Association (HKCCVA)http://www.hkccva.com had developed an 18-month “Iron-Deficiency Anaemia Prevention Educational Programme” to benefit elderly in grassroots communities, from July 2024 to Dec 2025. *After the programme, it was found that Hb level of elderly with anaemia had significantly increased by 10% (Female) & 4% (Male). *Common anaemia syndromes were significantly reduced by 32% after the programme. Positive feedbacks were received from participants. Elderly opined that through the training, they were better equipped with knowledge on prevention of iron-deficiency anaemia. Conclusion The study highlighted that more than 60% of elderly individuals who participated in the grassroots communities “Iron-Deficiency Anaemia Prevention Educational Programme” suffer from anaemia. Following a series of our educational interventions such as individual counselling on healthy diet and life style modification, the elderly’s health conditions had improved. Hb level had significantly increased by 10% (F) & 4% (M), and the occurrence of common anaemia syndromes decreased by 32%. Hong Kong Credible Care Volunteers Association will continue to monitor the Hb status among the elderly & organize health promotional education programme to enhance elderly awareness about the importance of healthy eating & reducing alcohol consumption, so as to maintain adequate iron intake and prevent iron-deficiency anaemia. To enhance public health awareness, Hong Kong Credible Care Volunteers Association organises different voluntary health promotion activities, to better serve grassroots communities.
Objectives :
1. To increase the awareness of iron-deficiency anaemia for elderly in grassroots communities. 2. To enhance the self-care ability of elderly with iron-deficiency anaemia through education. 3. To promote health awareness of the elderly in grassroots communities through nurses voluntary groups. To identify elderly with anaemia & assess the effectiveness of the educational programme, blood test for hemoglobin (Hb) & health condition surveys were conducted before and after the programme.
Methodology :
1. Iron Deficiency Anaemia Prevention Educational Programme with Hb Test Participants: 111 elderly aged 60 or above without choric disease. Venue: Two elderly centres run by non government organisations (NGO). 2. Recipes rich in iron and vitamin C / B12 were provided to all participants & elderly centres. 3.Train the trainer programme: Social workers in the elderly centers were invited to attend educational programme. 4.Lifestyle and behavior modification All elderly with anaemia (Hb < 12g/dL for female & Hb < 13 g/dL for male) were counselled individually on monitoring for internal bleeding, lifestyle modification, particularly reducing alcohol consumption & eating a balanced and varied diet with iron rich food items /supplement and be alert of iron absorption blockers. Six training sessions with Hb blood test were completed in 2 NGO elderly centers. Total number of participant was 111 (86% female) with a mean age 74 (SD 1.44). Average Hb 11.5 g/dL (female F) & 11.9 g/dL (male M). Elderly with anaemia were invited to recheck the Hb & health condition surveys after 3 months.
Result & Outcome :
The blood test & health condition surveys results were shown in the following table. Hb Test Result 68 (61%) participants were found anaemia with mean age 75(SD 1.2). No. of participant Sex Mean Hb level (g/dL) Pre-training Post-training Difference (post – pre) Improvement 56 F 10.6 11.7 ↑ 1.1 (10%) 12 M 10.9 11.3 ↑ 0.4 (4%) Health Condition Survey Result Common Anaemia syndromes: Fatigue- Pre training 57% Post training 23% Difference (post pre) ↓34% Headache- Pre training 47% Post training 13% Difference (post pre) ↓34% Dizziness- Pre training 47% Post training 13% Difference (post pre) ↓34% Cold Extremities- Pre training 47% Post training 17% Difference (post pre) ↓30% Shortness of Breath- Pre training 47% Post training 17% Difference (post pre) ↓30% Palpitation -Pre training 47% Post training 13% Difference (post pre) ↓34% Average -Pre training 49% Post training 17% Difference (post pre) ↓32% *After the programme, it was found that Hb level of elderly with anaemia had significantly increased by 10% (F) & 4% (M). *Common anaemia syndromes were significantly reduced by 32% after the programme. Positive feedbacks were received from participants.
