Epidemiological Study of Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Community; A Home-Based Screening

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of anemia is disproportionately high in developing countries due to poverty, inadequate diet, certain diseases, pregnancy and lactation, and poor access to health services. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular health and early death in adult. To estimate the prevalence of anemia and its associated risk factors in a rural community in India.Methods: Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, an observational house-to-house survey was conducted for 6 months, by screening for anemia, using digital strip type hemoglobin meter.Results: Out of 200 people, 146 were anemic of which 77 were with mild anemia, 67 with moderate anemia and only 3 had severe anemia. There was more number of anemic patients in the group of normal and underweight (normal=86, 58.90% and underweight=27, 18.49%) than that of overweight and obese (overweight=22, 15.06% and obese=11, 7.53%). The newly diagnosed cases of anemia were 138 and previously diagnosed cases of anemia were 8. Out of 146 anemic populations, 13 were hyperlipidemics, 20 were hypertensives, 18 were diabetics, 5 were thyroid patients, and 4 were cardiac patients. Conclusion:This screening program helps to diagnose anemia in a selected population and benefit avoiding further complications by offering adequate patient counseling. The study population was enriched with information on nutrition intake and importance of maintaining hemoglobin concentration at normal level in daily life of an individual.

Etiological Profile of Pancytopenia

“…The variation in the frequency of the causes of pancytopenia has been attributed to the differences in methodology and stringency of diagnostic criteria, period of observation, varying exposure to myelotoxic agents apart from the geographical area and genetic mutations [19,20]. Screening programs at community level will help in diagnosis and benefit avoiding further complications by offering adequate patient counseling, especially for anemia [21].…”

Alcohol intake, smoking, self-medication practices and burden of anaemia among traders in Tamale metropolis of Ghana

“…Continuous cigarette smoking can have serious negative effects on haematological parameters (including haemoglobin, haematocrit, and red blood cell count) in a healthy population, and these changes can raise the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases [ 23 ]. In that regard, a number of studies have shown that the levels of Haemoglobin are low in smokers [ 24 , 25 ]. That notwithstanding, evidence suggests a protective role of cigarette smoking against anaemia due to erythropoietin-stimulating influence of smoking-induced increase in carbon monoxide [ 26 , 27 ].…”