Prevalence of iron deficiency and associated risk factors in a rural female university student population

Abstract

Background: Rural female university students are in transition from home to an independent or college living situation. They may be at risk of iron deficiency with its associated general health, exercise and cognitive impairments. Their belief that 'removing meat from the diet was healthy' triggered this baseline study. Objectives: To determine the proportion of female students attending the University of New England (UNE) Medical Centre at risk of iron deficiency, and the proportion having low iron levels.