Micronutrient deficiency status among women of desert areas of western Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Objective: To assess the magnitude of three micronutrient deficiency disorders (iron, vitamin A and iodine), nutritional deficiencies and their association with related factors. Material and Methods: Using the three-stage sampling technique, a study was conducted in twenty-eight villages of Jodhpur district. A total of 1193 women, 384 pregnant, 400 lactating and 409 non-pregnant non-lactating controls (15 years and above, women who have not attained their family status) were examined for three micronutrient deficiency disorders, nutritional deficiencies, dietary and associated factors. Results: Majority of the women were anaemic. Anaemia was higher among pregnant and lactating women (80?7 %). Severe anaemia was three-fold higher among pregnant and lactating women in comparison to controls (4?1 %). Vitamin A deficiency was observed to be higher among pregnant women (8?8 %). A high proportion of women (80?8 %) consumed salt, having inadequate iodine content. Median urinary iodine values were less in pregnant and lactating women than the WHO cut-off points. Consumption of pulses and legumes was low besides leafy vegetables. Average intake of nutrients showed deficiency of protein and energy, iron and folic acid and vitamin A deficiency. Anaemia and iodine deficiency disorder were found to be inversely proportional to education and income. Conclusions: The proportion of anaemia in this study was higher in comparison to national-level studies besides the low consumption of normal iodised salt. Only 19 % of salt samples had adequate iodine content, which calls for caution. In addition to iodisation of salt, the study suggests the development of nutritional packages utilising local dietary aspects.

The Effect of Maternal Iodine Status on Infant Outcomes in an Iodine-Deficient Indian Population

“…The MUIC of women at the first and second visits was 106 and 71 lg/L, respectively, below the 150 lg/L cutoff, indicating iodine deficiency (2); UIC decreased by 2% for every week of gestation. IDD in pregnant Indian rural women was observed recently in two cross-sectional studies from the Indian state of Rajasthan, which reported an MUIC of 127 lg/L in pregnant women at any stage of gestation and 118 lg/L in pregnant women of > 28 weeks of gestation (7,8).…”

“…Thus, it is not surprising that IDD has been reported in rural Indian pregnant women in these areas (7,8). However, there is little information on the iodine status of tribal Indian pregnant women as tribal areas are typically more deprived than rural parts of India.…”

Iodine Status of Pregnant Women Residing in Urban Slums in Delhi

“…Singh et al, 2009, reported low level of MUI levels (117.5 μg/L) among pregnant women from 28 villages of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Further, a high proportion of women (80.8 %) were consuming salt, having inadequate iodine content [13]. A study among tribal women from Nagpur, Maharashtra, reported MUI levels of 106 and 71 µg/L in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, respectively [14].…”

“…Another study in 151 rural adolescent pregnant mothers belonging to low socioeconomic status (SES) from Uttaranchal, reported MUI as 95 μg/L; with a goiter rate of 14.6% [12]. Singh et al, 2009, reported low level of MUI levels (117.5 μg/L) among pregnant women from 28 villages of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Further, a high proportion of women (80.8 %) were consuming salt, having inadequate iodine content [13].…”

Nutritional Anaemia Among Currently Married Females in the Reproductive Age Group in Rural Jammu.

“…A prevalence of 30-50% was reported among the women of reproductive age by several authors, 14,15,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] in their studies conducted in various parts of the world.…”