Interventional study to improve the haemoglobin level using moringa olifera powder on anaemic children in selected district of Karnataka

Abstract

Anaemia is a serious concern for the young children as it affects the cognitive performance, development (cognitive and behavioral), coordination, language development and scholastic achievement. Various interventions have been undertaken during last 50 years such as green revolution, PDS, ICDS, etc. Nutritional deficiencies remain with the same burden and nutritional anemia being one of the major concerns in India. Hence it becomes quite evident hat alternative strategies should be tried to improve the nutritional anemia and reduce the morbidity associated with it, such as use of locally available, traditional food to increase the bioavailability of iron and to improve the nutritional behavior through nutritional education. The present study was proposed with an aim to assess the role of Moringa Olifera powder in improving haemoglobin level among the anaemic children. A case control study was conducted at a village, Chikaballapur district of Karnataka. 312 school children were screened for Haemoglobin level; Out of 312 students 124 school children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 66 children were recruited to control group and interventional group respectively. The children in the interventional group were administered with 3gms per day (1/2 a tea spoon) of Moringa Olifera powder along with their food for 3 months and regular supplements provided at school. Control group was advised to continue with the regular meal and regular supplements provided at the school. Haemoglobin levels were estimated before and 3 months after the intervention. Out of 58 children in the interventional group 33 (56.9%) were females and 25 (43.1%) were males and out of 66 children in the control group 34 (51.55) were females and 32(48.5%) were males. The mean Haemoglobin level of the children in the interventional group before the intervention was 10.332 which increased to 10.967 after the intervention. Similarly the mean Haemoglobin level of children in the control group before the intervention was 9.950 which remained 9.873 after the intervention. The increase in the mean haemoglobin level in the interventional group was significant with the p value of 0.045. After the intervention the children with moderate anaemia decreased from 38(65.5%) to 23(39.7%) and 13 (22.4%) children turned normal in the experimental group and in the control group the children with moderate anaemia increased from 52(78.8%) to 55(81.8%). There a statistically significant marginal improvement in haemoglobin level in the interventional group after three months.