The burden of anemia among women in India

Abstract

Objective: This research investigates the prevalence and determinants of anemia among women in Andhra Pradesh. We examined differences in anemia related to social class, urban=rural location and nutrition status body mass index (BMI). We hypothesized that rural women would have higher prevalence of anemia compared to urban women, particularly among the lower income groups, and that women with low body mass index (BMI; < 18.5 kg=m 2 ) would have a higher risk compared to normal or overweight women. Design: The National Family Health Survey 1998=99 (NFHS-2) provides nationally representative cross-sectional survey data on women's hemoglobin status, body weight, diet, social, demographic and other household and individual level factors. Ordered logit regression analyses were applied to identify socio-economic, regional and demographic determinants of anemia. Setting: Andhra Pradesh, a southern Indian state. Subjects: A total of 4032 ever-married women aged 15 -49 from 3872 households. Results: Prevalence of anemia was high among all women. In all 32.4% of women had mild (100 -109.99 g=l for pregnant women, 100 -119.99 for non-pregnant women), 14.19% had moderate (70 -99.99 g=l), and 2.2% had severe anemia ( < 70 g=l). Protective factors include Muslim religion, reported consumption of alcohol or pulses, and high socioeconomic status, particularly in urban areas. Poor urban women had the highest rates and odds of being anemic. Fifty-two percent of thin, 50% of normal BMI, and 41% of overweight women were anemic. Conclusions: New program strategies are needed, particularly those that improve the overall nutrition status of women of reproductive ages. This will require tailored programs across socio-economic groups and within both rural and urban areas, but particularly among the urban and rural poor.

Addressing Female Iron-Deficiency Anaemia in India: Is Vegetarianism the Major Obstacle?

“…This result is robust across different models. Our finding of a negative relationship between iron-deficiency anaemia and household wealth is consistent with findings that, in many developing countries and among poor cohorts in rich nations, poverty is a root cause of iron-deficiency anaemia [38][39][40]. In India, our data shows that an equally important root cause is vegetarianism, as 27% of women have a fairly strict vegetarian diet, defined as a diet without red meat, chicken, fish, and eggs.…”

“…For example, 8% of preschool children, 12% of pregnant women, and 15% of nonpregnant women of reproductive age in Australia have anaemia, with iron-deficiency identified as a major cause. These anaemia prevalence rates are about a third of the anaemia prevalence rates in India [37,38].…”

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

“…Most of the patients were found to be taking nutritious food yet not taking in adequate amount to reach the normal hemoglobin level, which results in more number of mild anemic patients. Similar observations were made by the authors such as Panigrahi and Sahoo [22], Verma et al [23], and Bentley et al [2].…”

“…According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), every second Indian women is anemic and one in every five maternal deaths is directly caused by anemia. According to NFHS-(III), more than half of Indian women (55%) have anemia including 39% with mild anemia, 15% with moderate anemia, and 2% with severe anemia [2]. Globally, 1.62 billion people are affected with anemia, which is around 24.8% of the world population.…”

Low prevalence of anaemia among the wives of serving personnel in a military station: A community-based study

“…Asres et al in their study have also highlighted that undernourished women with low BMI are more likely to have anaemia as it is the most common nutritional deficiency disorder. [24][25][26] It is often reported theoretically that comprehensive strategy with a holistic approach is needed for improving the health of women especially with respect to anaemia prevention. The health care system in the armed forces has been successful in providing such comprehensive care to the wives of serving soldiers.…”