TO STUDY THE PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN NORTH INDIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Jasleen Kaur; Dr. Harbhajan Kaur Shergill; Dr.Vijay Suri

Volume : X, Issue : I, January - 2020

TO STUDY THE PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN NORTH INDIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Jasleen Kaur, Dr. Harbhajan Kaur Shergill, Dr. Vijay Suri

Abstract :

Background: Anaemia is a severe public health problem affecting both developed and developing countries with major consequences for human health as well as socio economic development. WHO has estimated that prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women is 14% in developed and 51% in developing countries. In India prevalence of anaemia is 65–75% . The aim of the present study was to understand the health profile and the socio demographic factors and to estimate the exact prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women based on the level of hemoglobin. Method: 500 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic for the first time in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Adesh hospital bathinda were included in study applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and after proper written consent. The haemoglobin of all 500 subjects was measured using Automated cell counter method. Those with haemoglobin level <11gm/dl was considered as anaemic and were investigated further. Results: The overall prevalence of anaemia among study participants was 81.8%. Out of these 0.2% of them were identified as severely anaemic, 91% of them were moderately anaemic and 8.8% were mildly anaemic according to ICMR classification of anaemia. Conclusion: Present study concludes that prevalence of anaemia among the women attending antenatal clinic is 81.8% which is a serious public health problem. Early detection and effective management of anaemia in pregnancy can contribute substantially to reduction in maternal mortality.