Abstract

Background: Anemia is a major public health problem in India with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. Iron deficiency anemia continues to be an overwhelmingly major cause of anemia. Women with even mild anemia may experience fatigue and have reduced work capacity. In our cross sectional study, we tried to assess the prevalence of anemia in semi-urban women in selected outskirts of Hyderabad. Methods: This cross sectional study has been initiated using consecutive sampling methodology on the specified days of study implementation based on the selection and exclusion criteria in the Guru Nanak Care Hospital laboratory. Samples were collected from 501 individuals who were eligible for the study from urban slums of Quthbullapur, Ranga Reddy district. Any female visiting the lab for hematological parameters testing falling between 11-40 years of age were included till the sample size was achieved. Data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 20.0. Results: The study sample of 501 cases had only 50% population with normal Hb%. The remaining half of the population had mild anemia in 20% of cases, moderate anemia in 25% and severe anemia in 5% of cases. Severe Anemia was more prevalent among 31-40 age group (7.2%; 9/125) followed by among 21-30 age groups (6.1%; 14/231). Moderate anemia was highest among 11-20 age groups with 32.7% of total sample with 11-20 age groups (33/101). Conclusions: Prevalence of moderate and severe anemia is more than 25% among the child bearing age group women and hence need to be focused in public health programs planned as part of Anemia prevention activities.

Authors and Affiliations