Publication:

Study of nutritional anaemia amongst non-pregnant women of reproductive age group in an urban slum of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Background Anaemia is rampant in India. Nutritional anaemia is one of the most frequently observed deficiencies throughout the world among the women of reproductive age group particularly during pregnancy and very often contributing to maternal deaths.

Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in field practice area of department of community medicine of a tertiary care teaching hospital i.e. Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai during the period of June 1999 to December 2000. A total of 288 non-pregnant women were included and a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used for the study. Data was analyzed by using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0.

Results In the present study, out of 288 participants, 134 (46.5%) women were found anaemic. Anaemia was classified into mild 70 (52.2%), moderate 58 (43.3%) and severe 6 (4.5%). Majority 44.1% belongs to the age group of 15 to 24 years and maximum were Hindu i.e. 89.9% and 92% were married and 72.9% belongs to nuclear type of family and 60.4% had primary to secondary level of education followed by 37.2% who were illiterate and 30.5% had marriage below 15 years of age. 62.8% who belong to joint families and 65.4% of illiterate women were anaemic.

Conclusions In present study, prevalence of nutritional anaemia is widely present in women from 15 to 45 years of age. Occupation and education have a direct effect on socio-economic status thus leading to nutritional anaemia. There is a need to promote, educate and increase the awareness regarding the National health programs at the community level.