PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF UTTAR PRADESH

BACKGROUND Anaemia is a global health problem affecting developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health, social and economic development. Anaemia is more prevalent in reproductive women, pregnant women and young children. However, it is ignored even though it has serious consequences on health and national development. The state of Uttar Pradesh has a high prevalence of anaemia. The present study attempts to understand the association of some selected lifestyle indicators with anaemia level in rural area of Uttar Pradesh. It has been thought that such an attempt will benefit the policy makers in understanding the current situation and subsequent need for further program and planning. Aims and Objective- 1. To estimate the prevalence of anaemia in reproductive women attending Saraswati Medical College, Unnao (U. P.) 2. To evaluate the association of socioeconomic and demographic variables with anaemia. MATERIALS & METHODS The cross-sectional study was done at OBGYN clinic of Saraswati Medical College, Unnao, to determine the status of anaemia in pregnant women and various socio-demographic and dietary factors associated with it. Haemoglobin level of 449 women selected by consecutive sampling was estimated by Cyanmethaemoglobin method. Statistical Analysis-Template generated in MS Excel and analysis was done using SPSS 23 software. RESULTS Out of total 449 women, anaemia was found to be present in 438 (96.45%) women. A statistically significant association of anaemia (p<. 05) was found with dietary factors. But the association of anaemia with age, religion, family type, education, occupation and socioeconomic status was not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION Occurrence of anaemia was much higher in this area as compared to national average. It indicates that anaemia continues to be a major public health problem. Efforts should be geared towards the early detection and treatment of anaemia.