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. 2018 Mar;147(3):268-277.
doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1730_16.

Time trends in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy

K Kalaivani  1 , Prema Ramachandran  1
Affiliations

Time trends in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy

K Kalaivani et al. Indian J Med Res. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Background & objectives: : The prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in India is among the highest in the world. In the last two decades, several national surveys have estimated haemoglobin levels in pregnant women. In this study, data from these surveys were analyzed to find out changes, if any, in prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy.

Methods: : National and State-level estimates on the prevalence of anaemia were tabulated from the reports of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, NFHS 3, Fact Sheets of NFHS 4 and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2. Unit level data from DLHS 4 and Annual Health Survey Clinical Anthropometric and Biochemical component (AHS CAB) were obtained and State level prevalence of different grades of anaemia was estimated. Time trends in the prevalence of anaemia and different grades of anaemia were assessed from these surveys.

Results: : NFHS 2, 3 and 4 reported relatively lower prevalence of anaemia as compared to DLHS and AHS CAB. There was not much change in the prevalence or severity of anaemia between NFHS 2, 3 and 4. There was substantial reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in all States except Uttarakhand between DLHS 2 and 4 and DLHS 2 and AHS CAB.

Interpretation & conclusions: : There was a reduction in the prevalence and severity of anaemia in the last 15 years. The two-pronged strategy of increasing iron intake (dietary diversification and use of iron-fortified iodized salt) in all the population and testing, and detecting and treating pregnant women with anaemia will accelerate the pace of reduction in anaemia.

Keywords: Anaemia; grades of anaemia; pregnancy; prevalence; time trends.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Per cent prevalence of anaemia in National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, 3 and 4. NPNL, non pregnant non lactating. Source: Refs –.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A & B) Per cent prevalence of anaemia - National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, 3 and 4. AS, Assam; BH, Bihar; CHH, Chhattisgarh; JH, Jharkhand; MP, Madhya Pradesh; OD, Odisha; RJ, Rajasthan; UP, Uttar Pradesh; UK, Uttarakhand; DL, Delhi; GJ, Gujarat; HR, Haryana; HP, Himachal Pradesh; J&K, Jammu & Kashmir; KA, Karnataka; KL, Kerala; MH, Maharashtra; PB, Punjab; TN, Tamil Nadu; WB, West Bengal. Source: Refs –.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A & B) Per cent prevalence of different grades of anaemia (National Family Health Survey 2 and 3). Abbreviations as given in Fig 2. Source: Refs , .
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Prevalence of anaemia at national level in National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2, 3 and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2. *Cut-offs for grading anaemia was different in DLHS 2. Source: Refs , , .
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Per cent prevalence of anaemia in District Level Household Survey 2 (DLHS 2) and Annual Health Survey (AHS). AS, Assam; BH, Bihar; CHH, Chhattisgarh; JH, Jharkhand; MP, Madhya Pradesh; OD, Odisha; RJ, Rajasthan; UP, Uttar Pradesh; UK, Uttarakhand, AHS st, Annual Health Survey States. Source: Refs , .
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Per cent prevalence of anaemia in District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2 and 4. HR, Haryana; HP, Himachal Pradesh; KA, Karnataka; KL, Kerala; MH, Maharashtra; PB, Punjab; TN, Tamil Nadu; WB, West Bengal; AP+TG, Andhra Pradesh undivided; AP, Andhra Pradesh; TG, Telengana. Source: Refs –.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
(A and B) Changes in different grades of anaemia in District Level Household Survey (DLHS) 2, 4 and Annual Health Survey (AHS). AS, Assam; BH, Bihar; CHH, Chhattisgarh; JH, Jharkhand; MP, Madhya Pradesh; OD, Odisha; RJ, Rajasthan; UP, Uttar Pradesh; UK, Uttarakhand, AHS st, Annual Health Survey States; HR, Haryana; HP, Himachal Pradesh; KA, Karnataka; KL, Kerala; MH, Maharashtra; PB, Punjab; TN, Tamil Nadu; WB, West Bengal; AP+TG, Andhra Pradesh undivided; AP, Andhra Pradesh; TG, Telengana; DLHS4 st, District Level Household Survey 4 States. Source: Refs –.
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Comment in

  • Reduction in prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women.
    Gupta A, Kapil R, Kapil U. Gupta A, et al. Indian J Med Res. 2018 Sep;148(3):345-346. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1429_18. Indian J Med Res. 2018. PMID: 30425227 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Authors' Response.
    Kalaivani K, Ramachandran P. Kalaivani K, et al. Indian J Med Res. 2018 Sep;148(3):346-347. doi: 10.4103/0971-5916.245301. Indian J Med Res. 2018. PMID: 30425228 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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