Burden Of Anemia Research Articles

Frequency of anemia in individuals with beta-thalassemia trait.

Objective: To determine the frequency of anemia in carriers of Beta thalassemia Study Design: Retrospective Observational study. Setting: PAEC General Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. Period: 1st January 2022 to 30th June 2022. Methods: In this descriptive study, 131 carriers of Beta-thalassemia trait, diagnosed by hemoglobin electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane at alkaline pH, of any age and both genders were included. Complete blood counts were performed by hematology analyzer of Sysmex XN-1000 to determine hemoglobin level and red blood cell indices i.e. mean corpuscular volume. The studied parameters included hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume as quantitative variables. Severity and type of anemia were the qualitative variables of this study and were expressed in terms of frequency and percentages. SPSS 19 version software was used for data analysis. Results: 131 carriers of Beta-thalassemia traits were included in study. 58 (44.27%) were males while 73 (55.73%) were females, male to female ratio being 1: 1.3. Of 131 beta thalassemia traits 67 (51.15%) were found to be anemic while 64 (48.85%) had normal hemoglobin for given age and gender. The mean corpuscular volume of anemic and non-anemics was 59.54+5.82 fl and 63.70+6.95 fl respectively. Mean hemoglobin level of anemic Beta-thalassemia traits was 9.42+1.05 g/dl while non-anemic patients was 12.12+1.39 g/dl. Conclusion: Burden of anemia among carriers of Beta-thalassemia traits is high. Understanding the prevalence of anemia in individuals with the trait is crucial for optimizing healthcare interventions and improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

IJCM_64A: Prevalence of anemia among school going adolescent girls in selected health blocks of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Iron deficiency is the primary cause of anemia among school going adolescent girls in India Objective: To find the prevalence of anemia among school going adolescent girls in selected health blocks of Himachal Pradesh Methodology: It was a community based cross-sectional study where 09 health blocks from 07 districts were selected randomly using probability proportionate to size criteria for selection of blocks. A total of 720 adolescent girls were enrolled for the study. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 15.82±1.19 years. The prevalence of anemia observed was 31.6% and mean hemoglobin levels observed were 12.73±4.85 gm/dL Conclusion: We observed prevalence of anemia among school going adolescent girls as 31.6% which is lower than that reported in India. A way to reduce this burden of anemia among adolescent girls is WIFS which has reduced anemia prevalence among adolescent girls but still there is a long way to go

IJCM_66A: Beliefs, perceptions, and practices of mothers of under-five children towards control of childhood anemia in selected urban and rural areas of Puducherry – An explanatory mixed methods study.

Background: Anaemia is a significant public health issue that affects different age groups, mainly children under five. A mother’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices are often associated with the health status of children Objective: The study aimed to assess mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards childhood anaemia control, the status of IFA consumption among under-five children in Puducherry, and explore socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions about childhood anaemia. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected urban and rural areas, where Anganwadi centres were selected through simple random sampling. A pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from mothers of children under five. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore socio-cultural beliefs and perceptions of childhood anaemia. Results: According to the study, the majority of participants were aware of the causes (89.5%) and symptoms (90.3%) of anaemia, as well as the consequences during pregnancy (80.7%) and child growth risks (72.3%). However, the knowledge of health risks to the child if the mother is anaemic during pregnancy was known to only 64.0% of mothers. While most participants were aware of iron-rich foods, the knowledge of the practice of providing these foods was less widespread. Additionally, only 28.4% of children receive adequate IFA supplements. Conclusion: Though knowledge, attitude, and practices have improved, they are still inadequate to reduce the anaemia burden. Only one in three children received adequate IFA supplements. Adherence to the correct dosage of IFA supplementation needs further awareness and emphasis.

Heterogeneity in the prevalence of subclinical malaria, other co-infections and anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar: a community-based longitudinal study

BackgroundDue to the low prevalence of clinically suspected malaria among pregnant women in Myanmar, little is known about its impact on mothers and newborns. Helminth and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infections cause anemia in pregnant women. This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical malaria and co-infections among pregnant women, and its association with adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the presence of infection.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 12 villages in two townships in Myanmar between 2013 to 2015. A total of 752 pregnant women, with a mean age of 27 years, were enrolled and followed up once a month until six weeks after childbirth. Prevalence ratio was calculated in the multivariable analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of subclinical malaria as measured by nested PCR was 5.7% for either P. falciparum or P. vivax, 2.7% prevalence of P. falciparum and 2.8% prevalence of P. vivax. Helminth infections were prevalent in 17% of women, and one woman with an HIV infection was found in our study. The burden of anemia was high, with an overall prevalence of 37% with or without helminth infection, 42% of the women were malaria positive and 43% had dual infections (both malaria and helminth). Only 11 abnormal pregnancy outcomes (7 stillbirths, 2 premature, 2 twins) were identified. Poisson regression showed that women in their first trimester had a 2.9 times higher rate of subclinical malaria compared to women in the third trimester (PR:2.9, 95%CI 1.19, 7.31, p = 0.019), women who were enrolled during the wet season were 2.5 times more likely to be malaria positive than the women enrolled in the dry season (PR: 2.5, 95%CI 1.27, 4.88, p = 0.008), and the malaria positivity rate decreased by 5% when increased in one year of woman’s age (PR:0.95, 95%CI 0.91, 0.99, p = 0.02). In the multivariable regression, the age of respondents was the only significant factor associated with subclinical malaria in pregnancy.ConclusionsA comprehensive approach of integrating interventions for malaria, anemia, and helminths should be delivered during antenatal care services for pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar.

Prevalence and determinants of anaemia during the second or third trimester of pregnancy in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study protocol

Background Anaemia in pregnancy remains a critical global health problem and has long-term adverse health outcomes for both the mother and child. In developing countries like Bangladesh, there has been limited progress in reducing the burden of anaemia in pregnancy. This community-based survey will provide insight into the prevalence and determinants of anaemia during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Methods This cross-sectional survey will be conducted in three Upazilas (sub-districts) in rural Bangladesh. A total of 1,500 pregnant women will be recruited in second and third trimester, calculated from last menstrual period. The primary outcome is to determine the prevalence of anaemia (Hb<11 g/dL); haemoglobin will be measured in venous blood by HemoCue. The association between iron deficiency and anaemia will be determined, and the role of drinking water iron level in anaemia aetiology will be explored. Key secondary outcomes include the prevalence of moderate (Hb <10 g/dL) and severe anaemia (Hb <7 g/dL), iron deficiency (ferritin <15 mg/L), and iron deficiency anaemia (concurrent iron deficiency and anaemia). Detailed information on socioeconomic status, current and past pregnancies, knowledge on nutrition and anaemia, water-sanitation-hygiene and maternal mental health status will be collected. Conclusions This study will provide comprehensive information on the prevalence and determinants of anaemia in second and third trimester of pregnancy, and inform anaemia intervention strategies to improve maternal and child health outcomes. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Ethical Review Committee of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Melbourne, Australia. The results will be actively disseminated through reports and presentations to stakeholders, symposiums and scientific publications. Registration The protocol is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621000982819; 26/07/2021).

Spatial Clustering of Malnutrition and Anemia Among Reproductive Women and Its Associated Risk Factors in India: Evidence From National Family Health Survey-5.

Malnutrition and anemia are 2 severe public health concerns, predominantly in low-and middle-income nations. Malnutrition is defined as poor nutritional condition that encompass both under nutrition and over nutrition. The prevalence of overweight or obesity and anemia has increased in India from 2016 to 2021. The study aims to investigate the spatial clustering and factors responsible for underweight, overweight/obesity, and anemia among reproductive women (15-49 years) in India using the data from National Family and Health Survey-5 (2019-2021). We conducted hot-spot analysis using Moran's Index (MI) with the help spatial analysis software (i.e., GeoDa 1.18 and ArcGIS 10.8). It also demonstrates the autocorrelation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis has been performed to examine different determinants and risk associated with underweight, overweight/obesity, and anemia with various dependent variable by using Stata-14 software. Moran's Index for underweight (MI = 0.68), overweight/obesity (MI = 0.72), and anemia (MI = 0.62) indicates a high level of spatial-autocorrelation (P < .001) exists across the districts in India. As a result, a total of 156, 143, and 126 hot-spot districts are detected for underweight, overweight/obesity, and anemia, respectively. The burden of undernutrition and anemia is higher in rural areas. Risk of under nutrition and anemia are both reduced by media exposure and eating habits. Moreover, low income and low education level raises the risk of anemia and undernutrition, while obesity shows an inverse trend with income and education level. The study recommends targeting hot-spot districts for malnutrition and anemia, and policy level initiatives by addressing the responsible risk factors.

Prevalence of anemia and its social determinants among the male residents of an urban area in Tamil Nadu, India.

India has a high burden of anemia among the South Asian countries. Anemia has been extensively studied in the female and child population, with less attention given to males. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of anemia among males residing in an urban area and associated social determinants. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 males (during September and October 2021) in an urban area of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. A portable hemoglobin photometer was used to detect the prevalence of anemia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect details on social determinants of anemia such as dietary practice, education, income, and sanitary practices. The mean age of study participants was 34 ± 5.23 years. The prevalence of overall anemia among men was 20.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.9-25.3%), with moderate and severe anemia being 5.7% (95% CI: 3.3-8.9%) and 1% (95% CI: 0.2-2.9%), respectively. Belonging to a lower socioeconomic class (odds ratio [OR] = 6.50, P < 0.05) and consuming more than two cups of tea (OR = 7.28, P < 0.05) were significantly associated with anemia. Our study depicts a high burden of anemia among males. Health education on the role of dietary factors contributing to anemia needs to be emphasized with special focus on the frequency of tea intake. Primary care physicians can include screening for anemia in their routine practice for men belonging to lower socioeconomic groups. Consideration should be made to include male populations also under the National Anemia Control program.

Early Childhood Anemia in Rural Bangladesh: The Role of Iron Deficiency, Infections, and Inadequate Complementary Feeding Techniques

Anemia and iron deficiency increased quickly until 8 to 9 months of age, while the prevalence of subclinical infections remained stable. Apart from age and male sex, iron deficiency and subclinical infections were the main risk factors for anemia. Similarly, age, male sex, and subclinical illnesses were important risk factors for iron deficiency. In early rural Bangladeshi newborns, the burden of anemia and iron deficiency is particularly severe during the key transition period of increased physiological Fe requirements corresponding to the early phase of supplementary feeding, which lasts from 6 to 11 months of age. Nutritional and infection control strategies alone are insufficient. as soon as they begin providing them with complimentary foods. The increasing prevalence of anaemia and Iron Deficiency during the first 3 months of the complementary feeding period highlights the need to support mothers to introduce Fe supplements or Fe-rich foods or products in their infants’ diet as soon as they start giving them complementary foods. In order to reduce anemia and Iron Deficiency in this population, it is imperative to incorporate methods related to water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as parasitic disease control, given the high prevalence of subclinical infections and their role in these conditions. In order to avoid anemia during infancy in Bangladesh, a multipronged approach involving both infection control techniques and dietary Fe consumption improvements is required. A person&amp;apos;s capacity to work is restricted by anemia and iron deficiency, which can potentially have serious negative economic repercussions and impede the advancement of the country. Because of all of this, it is generally accepted that lowering the global burden of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia is a top priority in public health nutrition.

The Beneficial Impact of Iron-Fortified Complementary Feeding in the Burden of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) in Children of Bangladesh

Fortifying food with iron is the most cost-effective way to avoid iron deficiency anemia, a global public health crisis. In addition to choosing the appropriate dietary context for ingestion, it is critical to choose the appropriate iron form and food carrier. Among the increased hazards include low birth weight and preterm delivery. Children with IDA have slower development, worse cognitive performance, and lower levels of physical activity. In women, it also raises the risk of morbidity and death. The amount of iron required in the diet, one&amp;apos;s socioeconomic status, and overall health are all crucial factors to take into account. To combat IDA, a variety of dietary approaches, iron-fortified foods, supplements, and disease management techniques have all been employed. Nowadays, food fortification with iron is seen to be a long-term, sustainable solution. To be effective, the iron fortification program&amp;apos;s food transporters and fortificants must be deemed safe, pleasant, and acceptable by the target population. It also shouldn&amp;apos;t have a detrimental effect on the stability and acceptance of the finished product. This article provides a thorough summary of the current state of iron deficiency in women and children in Bangladesh. This study addresses current issues as well as the efficacy of current therapeutic strategies. Prevention-focused treatments ought to take precedence over treatment-focused ones in high-risk populations. Unknown are the long-term benefits, and unfavorable outcomes are possible. Despite the tremendous progress made, several plans and initiatives are still being supported. These issues are to coverage, quality, and compliance. The findings suggest that iron deficiency and anemia are still major problems in Bangladesh, despite the fact that certain severe deficiencies have been addressed by current intervention efforts. There is a need for more integrated solutions to assist current intervention efforts. Furthermore, new approaches to the management of certain types of iron deficiency anemia are proposed.

Risk factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women in the Adaklu District, Ghana.

Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern in both advanced and less-developed countries including Ghana. The prevalence of anaemia in Ghana has a serious repercussion on the country's social and economic development. This prevalence has been linked to various factors, including educational level and occupational status. A prospective study was conducted to investigate the factors influencing anaemia among 150 pregnant women, aged 15-49 years, who attended antenatal clinics in the Adaklu District of the Volta region of Ghana. Haemoglobin levels were assessed in the first, second, and third trimesters, and a questionnaire was also used to collect data on demographic information and barriers to maintaining haemoglobin levels. The data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, and binary logistic regression. The prevalence of pregnancy anaemia in the district was 78.5%. The study found that 92% and 8% of pregnant women had excellent and good knowledge on anaemia in pregnancy, respectively. The study also identified several barriers to maintaining an appropriate haemoglobin level during pregnancy, such as long distances to healthcare facilities, non-intake of antimalarial drugs, and lack of nutritious meals. Finally, the study found that low education level, number of pregnancies, and number of children a woman had were significant determinants of anaemia during pregnancy in the district. The findings of the study suggest that targeted interventions are needed to reduce the burden of anaemia during pregnancy in the district. These interventions should address the social and environmental determinants of anaemia during pregnancy, such as improving access to healthcare facilities and promoting healthy eating habits. In addition, interventions that address social determinants of health, such as education and occupation, may be effective in reducing the burden of anaemia during pregnancy in the district.

Household environment associated with anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis of Ethiopia demographic and health survey (2005–2016)

BackgroundAnaemia continues to be a major public health challenge globally, including in Ethiopia. Previous studies have suggested that improved household environmental conditions may reduce anaemia prevalence; however, population-level evidence of this link is lacking in low-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between environmental factors and childhood anaemia in Ethiopia.MethodsIn this study, we conducted an analysis of the data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), a nationally representative population-based survey conducted in Ethiopia between 2005 and 2016. The study included a total of 21,918 children aged 6–59 months. Children were considered anemic if their hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was less than 11.0 g/dl. To examine the association between environmental factors and anemia, we used multilevel mixed-effect models. These models allowed us to control for various confounding factors including: child, maternal, household and community-level variables. The study findings have been reported as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at a significance level of p < 0.05.ResultsThe study found the overall prevalence of childhood anaemia to be 49.3% (95%CI: 48.7–49.9) between 2005 and 2016 in Ethiopia. The prevalence was 47.6% (95%CI: 46.1–49.1) in 2005, 42.8% (95%CI: 41.8–43.8) in 2011, and increased to 57.4% (95%CI: 56.3–58.4) in 2016. The pooled data showed that children from households practising open defecation were more likely to be anaemic (AOR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05–1.36). In our survey specify analysis, the odds of anaemia were higher among children from households practising open defecation (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.12–1.58) in the EDHS-2011 and EDHS-2016 (AOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.13–1.90). In contrast, neither household water sources nor the time to obtain water was associated with anaemia after controlling for potential confounders. The other variables significantly associated with childhood anaemia include: the child’s age (6–35 months), not fully vaccinated (AOR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.05–1.24), children not dewormed in the last 6 months (AOR: 1.11, 95%CI: 1.01–1.24), children born to mothers not working (AOR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.02–1.19), children from poor households (AOR: 1.18: 95%CI: 1.06–1.31), and rural residence (AOR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.06–1.42).ConclusionIn Ethiopia, about fifty percent of children suffer from childhood anemia, making it a serious public health issue. Open defecation is a major contributing factor to this scourge. To address this issue effectively, it is recommended to strengthen initiatives aimed at eliminating open defecation that involve various approaches, including sanitation infrastructure development, behavior change campaigns, and policy interventions. In addition, to reduce the burden of anemia in children, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, involving both prevention and treatment strategies.

A district-level geospatial analysis of anaemia prevalence among rural men in India, 2019-21

BackgroundDespite its considerable impact on health and productivity, anemia among men has received limited attention. In a country as diverse as India, characterized by extensive geographic variations, there is a pressing need to investigate the nuanced spatial patterns of anemia prevalence among men. The identification of specific hotspots holds critical implications for policymaking, especially in rural areas, where a substantial portion of India’s population resides.MethodsThe study conducted an analysis on a sample of 61,481 rural men from 707 districts of India, utilizing data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21). Various analytical techniques, including Moran’s I, univariate LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Association), bivariate LISA, and spatial regression models such as SLM (Spatial Lag Model), and SEM (Spatial Error Model) were employed to examine the geographic patterns and spatial correlates of anaemia prevalence in the study population.ResultsIn rural India, three out of every ten men were found to be anemic. The univariate Moran’s I value for anaemia was 0.66, indicating a substantial degree of spatial autocorrelation in anaemia prevalence across the districts in India. Cluster and outlier analysis identified five prominent ‘hotspots’ of anaemia prevalence across 97 districts, primarily concentrated in the eastern region (encompassing West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha), the Dandakaranya region, the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border, lower Assam, and select districts in Jammu and Kashmir. The results of SLM revealed significant positive association between anaemia prevalence at the district-level and several key factors including a higher proportion of Scheduled Tribes, men in the 49–54 years age group, men with limited or no formal education, individuals of the Muslim faith, economically disadvantaged men, and those who reported alcohol consumption.ConclusionsSubstantial spatial heterogeneity in anaemia prevalence among men in rural India suggests the need for region-specific targeted interventions to reduce the burden of anaemia among men in rural India and enhance the overall health of this population.

Evaluation of Pancytopenia in Adults

Introduction: Pancytopenia, simultaneous presence of anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, is a commonclinical entity that we see in day to day practice Proper diagnostic evaluation requires detailed clinical history,physical examination and haematological assessment including careful peripheral blood smear examination andbone marrow evaluation.Materials and Methods: A total of 80 adult patients with pancytopenia/bicytopenia presenting between January2021 to January 2022 were included in the study. All patients underwent detailed clinical history and physicalexamination. Careful peripheral blood smear examination, CBC and bone marrow aspirate was done in all. Bonemarrow biopsy was done wherever feasible.Results: Megaloblastic anemia was the commonest cause of pancytopenia/bicytopenia making up 37.5% of allcases followed by erythroid hyperplasia (20%), aplastic anemia (10%). Haematological malignancies accounted for23.75% cases of the total. Bone marrow biopsy aided in the diagnosis of 8 cases (6 cases of aplastic anemia and twocases of dry tap) while in others it was concordant with aspiration findings.Conclusion: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are an important adjunct to peripheral smear examination forevaluation of cytopenias. Bone marrow trephine biopsy is helpful in cases of dry tap. We also conclude that thereis high prevalence of megaloblastic anemia due to nutritional deficiency among young population. Hence, this agerange should be the prime target for education regarding proper dietary habits, the remediation of which mightreduce the clinical burden of megaloblastic anemia.

Anaemia among women of reproductive age in selected sub-Saharan African countries: multivariate decomposition analyses of the demographic and health surveys data 2008-2018.

The burden and highest regional prevalence of anaemia is reported in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study evaluated changes in anaemia prevalence across the Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) periods in SSA and reported factors influencing observed changes in the trend. The study was implemented by a two-stage cross-sectional stratified sampling approach. The study involved women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in sub-Saharan Africa countries (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Benin) using two different periods of their demographic health surveys (DHS) data. The study adopted both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The chi-square test was used to determine the existence of a statistically significant relationship between the outcome and predictor variables and test the observed changes in anaemia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted on each survey year and the pooled dataset for eligible study countries. Multivariate decomposition analysis was performed to explain how compositional changes and behavioural effects of women characteristics affected the changes in anaemia prevalence. The study reported frequencies, percentages and odds ratios along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Ghana and Sierra Leone experienced 17.07% [95% CI: 14.76-19.37, p < 0.001] and 1% [95% CI: 1.0-2.9, p > 0.05] of anaemia decrease from period 1 to period 2, respectively, while Mali and Benin experienced 11% [95% CI: 9.14-12.90, p < 0.001] and 16.7% [95% CI: 14.99-18.5, p < 0.001] of increase in anaemia prevalence from period 1 to period 2, respectively. Behavioural effects explained the decrease in Ghana and the increase in Benin and Mali while endowments or compositional changes explained the decrease in Sierra Leone. Anaemia continues to pose a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, there is an imperative need to scale up the implementation of nutrition-related programmes and advocacies to ensure optimum changes in women nutrition-related behaviours.

Evaluating Anemia Counseling: A Study among Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls in Bhanvad Taluka, DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat

Introduction: The iron requirement of the body increases during this period and resulting into anemia. National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-20), about 65% women (15-49 y) and about 62% of pregnant women were suffering from various degrees of anemia in Gujarat. Current study is the part of the innovation pilot project in which counselling was very important component. It motivated the beneficiaries to increase uptake of project services. Thus, the current paper is designed with the aim and objective to analyse the effect of counselling done for all the beneficiaries (Pregnant women and adolescent girls) in context for their improvement in anaemia status. Materials and Methods: The current study, conducted between June 2020 to March 2021 in Bhanvad Taluka of DevBhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat, is part of the innovation pilot Anaemia Project under ICDS. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the study focused on 60 pregnant women and 304 adolescent girls, selected through simple random sampling. Verbal Informed Consent was obtained from each participant, and a semi-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire was administered in the local language by the evaluation team. The active involvement of counsellors, including FHW/ MS/ FHS/ ASHA, added a crucial dimension to the project, enhancing its effectiveness and outreach. Results: it was found that overall anemia burden among beneficiaries was reduced (9.34%) considering baseline and endline data taken during the study. This reduction was more seen among PWs (18.33%) as compared to AGs (7.56%). Conclusion: The results showed that nutrition education and counselling positively influenced the intake of dietary iron and vitamin C-rich foods.

Trends and Causes of Increasing Child Anaemia: Secondary Analysis of NFHS 5 Data- India

National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data of 2019-2020 indicates that prevalence of anaemia among children aged 6-59 months is 67.1%, while among women aged 15-49 years, it is 57%. These figures highlight the significant burden of anaemia in India. This number has increased from 2015-16 to 2019-21. The cause of anaemia can be attributed to two main factors: autonomous factors and induced factors. Furthermore, there are considerable regional disparities in child anaemia within India. The southern part of the country exhibits a lower prevalence of malnutrition in comparison to the northern part. The statistical analysis of 707 districts of India reveals that child malnutrition is influenced by socio-economic, nutritional, and health-related factors. The incidence of anaemia can be passed on to her offspring. While certain socio-economic factors may overlap in both cases, the underlying causes of anaemia differ significantly. This paper provides a comprehensive review of anaemia of children and mothers, covering prevalence, causes, consequences, diagnosis, management, and challenges in prevention. The result suggests for district level policy and targeted interventions to address this critical public health issue.

National and regional population attributable fractions for anemia risk factors (iron, folate, and vitamin B12) in Belize: potential impact of fortification.

To estimate the national and regional population attributable fraction (PAF) and potential number of preventable anemia cases for three nutritional risk factors (iron, red blood cell folate [RBCF], and vitamin B12 deficiencies) among women of childbearing age in Belize. A national probability-based household and micronutrient survey capturing sociodemographic and health information was conducted among 937 nonpregnant Belizean women aged 15-49 years. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin, ferritin, alpha-1-glycoprotein (AGP), RBCF, and vitamin B12 status. All analyses used sample weights and design variables to reflect a complex sample survey. Logistic regression was used to determine adjusted prevalence risk (aPR) ratios, which were then used to estimate national and regional PAF for anemia. The overall prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin <12 g/dL) was 21.2% (95% CI [18.7, 25.3]). The prevalence of anemia was significantly greater among women with iron deficiency (59.5%, 95% CI [48.7, 69.5]) compared to women without iron deficiency (15.2%, 95% CI [12.2, 18.3]; aPR 3.9, 95% CI [2.9, 5.1]). The three nutritional deficiencies examined contributed to 34.6% (95% CI [22.1, 47.1]) of the anemia cases. If all these nutritional deficiencies could be eliminated, then an estimated 5 953 (95% CI [3 807, 8 114]) anemia cases could be prevented. This study suggests that among women of child-bearing age in Belize, anemia cases might be reduced by a third if three modifiable nutritional risk factors (iron, RBCF, and vitamin B12 deficiencies) could be eliminated. Fortification is one potential strategy to improve nutritional status and reduce the burden of anemia in this population.

Sickle Cell Gene Frequency Analysis in Visapur, District Chandrapur: A Case Study of Single Village from Central India

Sickle cell anemia burden is generally studied by calculating how many sickle cell carriers are found in specific diagnostic camps based on combination of screening test and confirmatory tests i.e. sickle cell carrier prevalence method. Where as actual total numbers of alleles can be estimated by combining data of how many carriers and homozygous patients are found in the confirmatory testing camps, which is a gene frequency calculation method. Aim of this study is to compare prevalence and gene frequency calculations for one village data, for study conducted in year 2005 at Visapur village, Chandrapur district, Central India. Sampling was done in village school followed by screening and confirmatory testing at field work laboratory at Ballarpur city which included solubility test, hemoglobin estimation, hemoglobin electrophoresis using cellulose acetate membrane method followed by pedigree analysis after parent studies. This is a sickle cell anaemia study of single village data point. Out of total population of the village, 6.68% population were randomly studied. Total registrations done for 755 individuals and out of that total 628 individuals were tested (N = 628, 293 were females and 335 were males) for solubility tests followed by haemoglobin electrophoresis. For socioeconomically disadvantages groups, it was noted that out of 628 individuals, tribals were 111 and non-tribals, 517. Out of total tested, N=628, SCD homozygous status were found in 7 cases (Hb S+S electrophoresis pattern). In 87 cases sickle cell carrier status (Hb A+S electrophoresis pattern) were observed and in remaining 534 individuals, non-sickle cell status observed i.e. Hb A+A electrophoresis pattern. Based on this sickle cell prevalence observed for total tribal and non-tribal is 13.85% After classifying tribal Vs non-tribal population, 7 homozygous patients were found in non-tribal communities, 5 in Schedule caste, 1 in OBC and 1 in open category, there is no SCD patient found in tribal community. Out of 50 sickle cell carriers, 7 were found from tribal community and remaining all 80 belongs to non-tribal community. Out of which, 49 are from scheduled cast and 31 from OBC community. After studying sickle cell prevalence and gene frequency pattern, it is found that gene frequency gives more accurate status of sickle cell anaemia even in small population size, i.e. independent study of single village, as compared to estimation sickle cell anemia using sickle cell carrier prevalence method.

Original

Anaemia in women of reproductive age (WRA) can adversely affect maternal health and birthoutcomes. Despite numerous policies and initiatives, anaemia among women continues to be asignificant public health issue in India, with West Bengal (WB) having the highest burden ofanaemia. In order to establish priorities for public health policy, this study attempted to exam-ine the factors associated with anaemia among WRA in West Bengal. Data was drawn from theNational Family and Health Survey-5, 2019-21. A cross-sectional sample of 21408 women aged 15-49 years was analysed. Cross-tabulation was used to compute the prevalence of anaemiaby background characteristics of women and Chi-squared test to check the bivariate associa-tion. Furthermore, binary logistic regression model was run to examine the contribution of thepredictor variables on anaemia. Seven out of ten women in West Bengal were found anaemic.Women aged 40-49 years (Odds Ratio: 1.27, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.12-1.44, SC (OR:1.24, 95% CI: 1.13-1.36), ST (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.47-2.02), and Rural women (OR 1.26, 95%CI: 1.15-1.38); those who had no formal education (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.92-1.28), belonged tothe poorest households (OR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.27-1.43), used groundwater for drinking (OR1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.22), were underweight (OR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.12-1.37) and lactating (OR1.11, 95% CI: 0.98-1.24); had three or more children (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98-1.36) reported significantly higher likelihood of being anaemic. Age, education, household wealth, social group,source of drinking water, residence, nutritional status, maternity status were significantly asso-ciated with anaemia. Therefore, targeted interventions considering the discussed determinantsmay help in reducing anaemia.For instance, haemoglobin levels of women should be measured on regular basis.

Anemia Prevalence and Risk Factors in Two of Ethiopia's Most Anemic Regions among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations, including Ethiopia, anemia is a significant public health issue. Ethiopia has continued to bear the enormous burden of anemia infections. Over time, the prevalence of anemia has significantly increased in Ethiopia. In addition, there is a paucity of literature and regional variations in the pace of increment expansion. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and risk factors among women in Ethiopia's two most anemic regions. 2,519 women participated in a community-based cross-sectional study from January 18 to June 27, 2016. In order to determine the causes of anemia in women in two of Ethiopia's most anemic regions, an ordinal logistic regression model was taken into consideration. The applicability of the proportional odds test was evaluated using the chi-square test of the parallelism assumption. A p value of 0.05 or below was used to define crucial and statistically significant predictor variables. The overall prevalence rate of anemia was 56.8% (95% CI (54.8%-58.7%)). The chi-square test of the parallelism assumption indicated that the odds ratios were constant across all cut-off points of women's anemia levels at a 5% significance level (p value = 0.122). Of the severity of anemia levels among women, 48.2, 46.1, and 5.7% had mild, moderate, and severe anemia levels, respectively. In multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses, being born (lived) in the Somali region (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.37, 1.90), having a parity of 4-5 (AOR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.66), and having ≥6 children (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), being a contraceptive user (AOR = 3, 95% CI: 2.5, 3.6), being currently pregnant (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI: 2.3, 3.4), having no ANC follow-up (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.6, 2.3), being married women (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.9), and user of unimproved toilet facility (AOR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.6) were significantly positively associated with anemia. Finally, the anemia burden was dangerously greater than the national average. The region, usage of contraceptives, being pregnant at the time, ANC follow-up, toilet facilities, parity, and marital status all had a substantial impact on anemia. Therefore, to lessen the prevalence of anemia in certain parts of Ethiopia, public health initiatives that improve maternal health service utilization are required, such as ANC follow-up to minimize parity.