Haematological Parameters of Students with Nutritional Anaemia at a Federal University in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria

This study assesses haematological parameters in university students diagnosed with nutritional anaemia at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. University students represent a population vulnerable to nutritional anaemia due to irregular dietary habits, financial constraints, and high academic demands. A cross-sectional study recruited 160 students aged 17 to 26 years with haemoglobin below 12 g/dL for females and 13 g/dL for males, alongside 80 non-anaemic controls. Full blood count, peripheral blood film morphology, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, serum folate, and vitamin B12 were assessed. Dietary patterns were evaluated using a three-day dietary recall tool. Results showed that iron deficiency anaemia accounted for 58 percent of cases, with additional folate deficiency in 21 percent and vitamin B12 deficiency in 8 percent. Female students had significantly higher anaemia prevalence (67%) than males (31%). Microcytic hypochromic morphology was predominant, consistent with iron deficiency. Low dietary iron intake, infrequent meat consumption, and heavy menstrual blood loss in females were significant predictors of IDA. The study recommends introduction of subsidised iron-fortified food in student cafeterias, structured nutritional counselling through student health services, and routine haemoglobin screening at matriculation at Usmanu Danfodiyo University. Keywords: nutritional anaemia, university students, iron deficiency, haematological parameters, Sokoto.