IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-7-6-15770 Original Research Paper Association of Dietary Pattern with Haemoglobin Level among Registered Antenatal Women in Rural Maharashtra Simon Dr. Pavan Sable Dr. June 2018 7 6 01 02 ABSTRACT

Aim – To study the association of dietary pattern with haemoglobin level among registered antenatal women in rural Maharashtra. Study design – cross sectional observational study. Methodology – Pregnant women registered at 3 randomly selected sub–centres of a primary health centre in rural Maharashtra were included in the study (N = 63). Antenatal women with systemic diseases like diabetes, eclampsia and heart diseases were excluded from the study. Results – Most of them belonged to the age group of 20 – 25 years (53.9%). Most of them were primigravida (42.9%). 79.4% of the total pregnant women were non–vegetarians. Analysis of the haemoglobin status revealed that 65% of the total participants were anaemic (Hb level< 11 g%). However, the association between haemoglobin levels and dietary pattern was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion– Anaemia during pregnancy is common in developing countries and is associated with significant morbidity & mortality. Dietary pattern like vegetarian/non–vegetarian in combination with Iron and Folic Acid supplementation will significantly reduce the problem of Anaemia in pregnancy.