Anaemia among non‐pregnant women: a community based study in rural area of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal

Abstract

Anaemia among women is still a public health problem in developing countries

including India. A community based, cross

â€Âsectional study was conducted

among non

â€Âpregnant women to assess the prevalence of anaemia.

The study group was comprised of 528 women between 20 to 49 years from

four rural blocks located in western parts of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal.

The overall mean level of haemoglobin (Hb) was 10.36±1.61 g/dl. The

results indicated that slightly incensement of the mean values of Hb concentration

with advancement in age except the age group of 45

â€Â49 years. Prevalence

of anaemia (Hb<11.9g/dl) was very high among the participants

(79.55%). In all, 16.66% of women had mild (10

â€Â11.9g/dl), 61.93% had moderate

(7

â€Â9.9g/dl) and only 0.94% had severe anaemic (<7g/dl). The highest

frequency(83.14%) of anaemia was observed among age group of 45

â€Â49 and

lowest(75.94%) in the age group of 25

â€Â29 years. Results also reveals that

rural women have higher prevalence of anaemia(52.84%) with low body

mass index (BMI; <18.5kg/m

2) compared to normal or overweight women.

Anaemia is a common problem among women in rural sectors of Paschim

Medinipur. However, further studies are required to identify the responsible

factors which are essential for the effective management of anaemia.