Background: Many populations in Sudan may have diets low in vitamin B12 and folate due to limited access to diverse foods due to the ongoing extended war. This study aimed to assess the demographic characteristics associated with megaloblastic anemia in central Sudan.

Methodology: This is a descriptive prospective study conducted in El-Obeid Teaching Hospital, El-Obeid, North Kordofan State, Sudan. Two hundred participants were selected for this study (100 were with clinical symptoms mimicking anemia, and 100 were apparently healthy volunteers as an internal control for comparing hematological parameters).

Results: This study investigated 200 Sudanese individuals, aged 21 to 95 years, with a mean age and standard deviation of 52±16. Most of the study subjects were aged 60-69 years, followed by the age ranges 45-59 and 35-44 years, representing 22%, 21%, and 20%, respectively. Out of the 200 participants, 34% were males and the remaining 66% were females. B12 deficiency was detected in 84% of patients. Folate deficiency was detected in 13.6% of patients.

Conclusion: The prevalence of B12 deficiency is among the highest compared to other reports. Folate deficiency is among the reported prevalence rates worldwide. Both B12 and folate deficiencies were seen among younger adults, which oppose the global findings. B12 deficiency was more prevalent among males; hence, folate deficiency was more common among females. Megaloblastic anemia in Sudan necessitates a coordinated approach to nutritional interventions, healthcare, public health, and policies to reduce poverty and enhance health.