Trends in prevalence and determinants of severe and moderate anaemia among women of reproductive age during the last 15 years in India

Abstract

Background Anaemia is a serious global public health problem that disproportionally affects children, adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age, especially pregnant women. Women of reproductive age are more vulnerable to anaemia, particularly severe and moderate anaemia leads to adverse outcomes among pregnant women. Despite continuous Government efforts, anaemia burden still poses a serious challenge in India. The objective of this study is to assess the trends in prevalence and determinants of severe and moderate anaemia among women of reproductive age between 15 and 49 years. Method We used three rounds of the large-scale National Family Health Survey (NFHS) India, conducted on a representative sample of households using a cross-sectional design across the country in 2005–06, 2015–16 and 2019–2021. We included all the women aged 15 to 49 years in our analysis. We used the same haemoglobin (Hb) cut-off values for all the three rounds of surveys to ensure comparability. Generalized linear regression analyses with log link were done. Survey weights were incorporated in the analysis. Results The prevalence of severe or moderate Anaemia (SMA) in non-pregnant women was 14.20%, 12.43% and 13.98%; it was 31.11%, 25.98% and 26.66% for pregnant women in 2006, 2016 and 2021 respectively. The decline in SMA prevalence was 1.54% in non-pregnant women, whereas it was 14.30% in pregnant women in 15 years. Women who were poor, and without any formal education had a higher risk for severe and moderate Anaemia. Conclusion Despite the intensive anaemia control program in India, SMA has not declined appreciably in non-pregnant women during the last two decades. Despite the decline, the prevalence of SMA was about 26% in pregnant women which calls for a comprehensive review of the existing anaemia control programmes and there must be targeted programmes for the most vulnerable and high-risk women such as rural, poor and illiterate women of reproductive age to reduce the burden of anaemia among them.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Prescription Patterns for Anemia Management in Pregnant Women: A Study From Anand District, India

“…In contrast, Sappani et al report a decline in SMA prevalence among both pregnant and non-pregnant women over the same period, indicating potential improvements in addressing anemia among women of reproductive age overall. Both studies highlight socioeconomic factors as significant determinants of anemia and emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes in India [15]. The findings are also discussed in the context of the 2023 WHO-EML and the NLEM-2022.…”

Dietary micronutrients intake and its effect on haemoglobin levels of pregnant women for clinic visit in the Mount Cameroon health area: a cross-sectional study

“…Over the past decade, awareness for anaemia and its consequences for maternal and infant health has increased. For instance, in 2012, the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) approved global targets for maternal, infant and young child nutrition with a commitment to reduce to half the prevalence of anaemia among WRA (15–49 years) by 2025 ( 20 , 21 ). Ensuing this, the WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) proposed extending this target to 2030 to align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals ( 21 , 22 ).…”

“…For instance, in 2012, the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) approved global targets for maternal, infant and young child nutrition with a commitment to reduce to half the prevalence of anaemia among WRA (15–49 years) by 2025 ( 20 , 21 ). Ensuing this, the WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) proposed extending this target to 2030 to align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals ( 21 , 22 ). With this in mind, Cameroon has been committed to curb the burden of maternal anaemia through malaria prophylaxis and haematinic supplementation ( 16 ).…”