Interstate and Intrastate Differences in the Prevalence of Anaemia in Reproductive Age Women - a Study of Possible Contributing Factors

The deleterious effects of pregnancy anaemia , with respect to both the mother and the infant are now well-recognised. The current persistent high rates of maternal mortality and the high incidence of low-birth-weight deliveries are partly related to high prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women.

The latest NFHS survey data include information on haemoglobin levels in pregnant women and children. The data with respect to anaemia in pregnancy show wide differences as between different states of India. At one end of the scale, Kerala stands out as the state with the best performance, with respect to the control of anaemia with just around 20 per cent of pregnant women with any anaemia, the prevalence of severe anaemia being nil and of moderate anaemia being 9 per cent. On the other hand, Assam and Orissa show a prevalence of over 60 per cent, with the difference that while in Orissa the prevalence of severe anaemia was well under 1 per cent, in Assam it was as high as 4 per cent. Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal show a prevalence rate of over 50 per cent with Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra having a prevalence rate of 4.5 per cent and 5.1 per cent of severe anaemia, respectively. There were striking differences between the adjoining states of Haryana (55.6 per cent of all anaemias and 1.7 per cent of severe anaemia) and Himachal Pradesh (31.8 per cent of all anaemias and 0.7 per cent of severe anaemia).

Thus the main Objectives of the study are:

  • To estimate hemoglobin levels (Hb) in reproductive age women from the selected seven states (Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu) and to estimate how far these values compared with those obtained in the NFHS study.
  • To assess dietary intakes and food consumption patterns in the selected households and individuals
  • To assess access to and utilisation of health services including receipt and consumption of iron-folic acid supplements
  • To assess the implementation of the Nutrition Programmes in selected areas.
  • To assess the occurrence and severity of parasitic infestations and other major infections in the selected villages.
  • To identify the possible factors underlying the interstate differences with reference to the prevalence of anaemia.