Efficacy of oral iron therapy in geophagic women with iron deficiency anaemia residing in Botshabelo, South Africa

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is the most commonly encountered form of anaemia in females worldwide. This form of anaemia is, amongst others, associated with geophagia that is defined as the consumption of soil. The two main reasons for the association of geophagia with anaemia are that soil is thought to supplement mineral deficiency and geophagia is seen as a symptom of the anaemia. However, it is hypothesised that soil consumption interferes with iron absorption instead of supplementing it. The first line of therapy for iron deficiency anaemia is oral iron. Therefore, if soil consumption interferes with iron absorption it could interfere with oral iron therapy leading to patients being burdened with symptoms of anaemia as treatment is not effective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral iron therapy in female participants afflicted with iron deficiency anaemia associated with geophagia.