Time trends in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy

Abstract

Background & objectives:The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in India is among the highest in the world. In the last two decades, several national surveys have estimated haemoglobin levels in pregnant women. In this study, data from these surveys were analyzed to find out changes, if any, in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy.Methods:National and State-level estimates on the prevalence of anaemia were tabulated from the reports of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, NFHS 3, Fact Sheets of NFHS 4 and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2. Unit level data from DLHS 4 and Annual Health Survey Clinical Anthropometric and Biochemical component (AHS CAB) were obtained and State level prevalence of different grades of anaemia was estimated. Time trends in the prevalence of anaemia and different grades of anaemia were assessed from these surveys.Results:NFHS 2, 3 and 4 reported relatively lower prevalence of anaemia as compared to DLHS and AHS CAB. There was not much change in the prevalence or severity of anaemia between NFHS 2, 3 and 4. There was substantial reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in all States except Uttarakhand between DLHS 2 and 4 and DLHS 2 and AHS CAB.Interpretation & conclusions:There was a reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in the last 15 years. The two-pronged strategy of increasing iron intake (dietary diversification and use of iron-fortified iodized salt) in all the population and testing, and detecting and treating pregnant women with anaemia will accelerate the pace of reduction in anaemia.

Prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia in Chinese pregnant women (IRON WOMEN): a national cross-sectional survey

“…51.3% in Egypt [6] and 44.5% in Saudi Arabia [31]). Besides, the prevalence of anemia in pregnant population varied across Asia-paci c regions, such as 25.7% in Korea [5], 20%-25% in Australia [32][33][34] and 50% in India [35]. Our ndings were similar to those from developed countries.…”

Reduction in prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women

“…We read the article by Kalaivani and Ramachandran 1 with great interest. The study analyzed the datasets of National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-II, III, IV, District Level Household Survey (DLHS) II, IV and Annual Health Survey (AHS)-Clinical and Anthropometric and Biochemical (AHS CAB).…”

“… i The sampling procedure and inclusion criteria of Pregnant women differed greatly in NFHS II (1998-1999) 2 , NFHS-III (2005-2006) 3 and NFHS-IV (2015-2016) 4 as compared to DLHS-II (2002-2004) 5 , DLHS-IV (2012-2013) 6 and AHS CAB surveys (2014) 7 presented in the study 1 . ii NFHS II and III were designed to provide State-level estimates of anaemia.…”

Prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia in Chinese pregnant women (IRON WOMEN): a national cross-sectional survey

“…51.3% in Egypt [6] and 44.5% in Saudi Arabia [31]). Besides, the prevalence of anemia in pregnant population varied across Asia-paci c regions, such as 25.7% in Korea [5], 20%-25% in Australia [32][33][34] and 50% in India [35]. According to the estimates by WHO, the lowest prevalence of anemia during pregnancy occurred in Western Paci c region (24.3%) and the highest prevalence in South-East Asia region (48.7%) [36].…”