Public Health Crisis of Anemia in India: A Study of Three Villages

Background: Anemia has been a pervasive and constant public health crisis in India that has been recognized since the National Family Health Survey began in 1991. Anemia’s prevalence in rural areas amongst children ages 6 months to 35 months is as high as 79% and amongst women exceeds 49.5% in some studies. The condition’s rates are high across all socioeconomic statuses and classes. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine sought to understand the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children and women in the villages of Kolki, Dhank, and Bhimora. Sample sizes were n=17,111 children and n=9,151 women. The anemia and severity levels within these villages have not been previously reported. The prevalence of moderate and severe anemia within the villages ranges from 20-60% in both women and children. Average hemoglobin findings in villages show “moderate anemia” as classified by WHO standards. Understanding the prevalence of anemia in specific regions in India is imperative to identifying where to focus therapies that target iron deficiency and other causes of anemia, such as through the administration of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and deworming medications.

Methods: Blood samples were taken to measure hemoglobin levels (g/dl) utilizing a glucometer device from two samples: boys and girls ages 0-18, and women ages 18-45 in Kolki, Dhank, and Bhimora. Sample sizes were n=17,111 children and n=9,151 women. Researchers calculated the prevalence of anemia in both groups based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

Results: Results of the study indicate that there are high levels of anemia based on WHO standards in Kolki, Bhimora, and Dhank. The majority of children between the ages of 0-18 are anemic. Bhimora and Dhank had the highest prevalence of moderate anemia with 65% and 56% children 0-18 respectively. In addition, in Bhimora and Dhank 2% and 1% of children 0-18 respectively were non-anemic.

Conclusion: Anemia is a serious public health crisis within the state of Gujarat, specifically in the villages of Kolki, Bhimora, and Dhank for children 0-18 and women 18-45, as indicated by the high prevalence of moderate and severe anemia in these areas. These findings call for interventions to combat this public health issue.

Future study of the data will show which specific socioeconomic factors (caste, class, working status, etc.) are associated with lower hemoglobin levels. These future studies, in turn, will guide the targeted deployment of iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and deworming tablets along with extensive educational intervention.