Changing Scenario of Anemia Among Women in India: Understanding the Maternal Health Concern and Its Associated Predictors Through National Family Health Survey

Abstract

Objectives: To study the changes in Anemia among women and to study the association between anemia and socio-demographic and economic predictors, also estimating the percentage contribution of selected predictors to Anemia among women belonging to poor and non-poor households.Methods: The State-wise percentages were taken from the extracted factsheets of National Family Health Survey 2015-2016 and 2019-2020. Absolute and relative percent changes to understand the changes in prevalence have been calculated. Multiple logistic regression was done to understand the associated varying predictors of Anemia among women. Percentage contribution of selected varying predictors through multivariate decomposition analysis have also been estimated. Results: Anemia prevalence was found the highest among the women in Goa and least in Lakshwadeep. The relative change in prevalence of Anemia was highest in Assam and lowest in Lakshwadeep. Socio-economic factors like marriage at a young age, lack of education, exposure to media, malnutrition, and poor economic status contribute significantly to the prevalence of Anemia among women of age 15-49 years.Conclusion: It is seen that the socio-demographic and economic burden on Anemia still continues to be higher than other medical predictors. The focus should be made more on education, malnutrition, and economic status to reduce the prevalence of Anemia.