Menstruation and Anemia Research: A Community Health Study

This research is studying if a community-based, community health worker (CHW) led psychosocial intervention improves hemoglobin levels among Black/African American and/or Hispanic or Latino women with anemia compared to standard of care. The intervention group will demonstrate a greater mean increase in hemoglobin at follow up than the control group. The expected treatment difference effect is a between group difference of 1.0-point or greater in mean Hgb at follow up.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Self-identify as black/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino 2. Has had a menstrual period in the last 6 months 3. Hemoglobin (Hgb) by point of care (POC) test is less than 12.0 g/dL and greater than or equal to 7.0 g/dL 4. Able to read, write, and communicate in Spanish and/or English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Received iron infusion in the past month 2. Recent (within the last 4 weeks) or anticipated major surgery with anesthesia for greater than 30 minutes within the next 3 months 3. Undergone Bariatric (i.e. weight-loss) Surgery including Gastric Bypass Surgery, Gastric Sleeve Surgery or other Bariatric Surgery 4. Diagnosed with anemia related to a condition other than iron deficiency, such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease or are a carrier. 5. Diagnosed with cancer (not including thyroid, cervical, or non-melanoma skin cancer) 6. Currently or within the last 3 months experiencing bloody or black tarry stools 7. Currently or within the last 3 months vomiting blood or emesis that resembles dark coffee grounds 8. Currently pregnant women 9. Hgb by POC test is less than 7.0 g/dL