Objective: To compare the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency, at state level in non-pregnant women between 20 and 49 years of age from the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut, in Spanish) 2006, 2012 and 2018-19.
Materials and methods: The Ensanut 2006, 2012 and 2018-19 have a probabilistic design. Hb in capillary blood was measured by HemoCue Hb201 and ferritin by venous sample. Anemia was diagnosed with Hb<120g/L and iron deficiency with Ferritin<15ng/mL.
Results: At the national level, anemia increased 6.1 (p<0.05) percentage points (pp) from 2006 to 2018-19. Baja California Norte, Campeche, Colima, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa and Sonora, went from low prevalence (5 to 19.9%) to moderate (20 to 39.9%); in Yucatán and Tamaulipas it went from low to severe (>40). In Guanajuato, State of Mexico and Querétaro it was reduced from 2006 to 2018-19 (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Anemia continues to be a public health problem that requires actions at the state level, considering level of wellbeing index, food programs and affiliation to medical Services insurance.