Study of sociodemographic factors and perceptions of women in the reproductive age group with anaemia - A hospital-based cross-sectional study in South India

Abstract

Introduction: Anaemia is one of the significant public health problems faced by developing countries. It occurs more frequently in women of childbearing age. Anaemia causes poor work capacity, and severe forms may even cause cardiac failure. In pregnant women, anaemia may lead to preterm labour, low-birth-weight babies, and increased risk of maternal mortality due to post-partum haemorrhage. Even though there are national programmes to supply iron free of cost and other measures to tackle anaemia, it is still prevalent in our country. Anaemia prevalence has increased between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, from 53% in 2015-16 to 57% in 2019-21 among women. Poor perception about anaemia is the main reason for failure of these programmes. Through this study, we evaluate the perceptions about anaemia in urban women, which is not widely studied unlike in rural women.

Aim: To study the sociodemographic factors and perception of women in the reproductive age group with anaemia in an urban population.

Objectives: To assess sociodemographic factors contributing to anaemia and their association with severity of anaemia. 1. To assess their perception about anaemia and factors associated with it.

Material and methods: We studied 100 participants who fitted the inclusion criteria (women in the age group 15-49 years) attending various departments diagnosed with anaemia based on laboratory results. A brief introduction was given to the participants regarding the purpose of study by the primary researcher. After receiving their informed consent, sociodemographic factors and clinical and lab results were noted. A pre-tested, semi-structured validated questionnaire was administered to the participants to elicit awareness and perception about anaemia and its health impacts. To eliminate repeats, caution was taken not to include previously recorded data if such a situation arose where previously the interviewed person came for subsequent visit during the study period.

Results and conclusions: A total of 100 women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years of age) were taken up for study. Almost half(44%) of the study participants belonged to the age group of > 40 years. Almost half (41%) of the study participants were Hindus. With respect to distribution of Hb levels, we observed that around 2/3^rd of the study participants (61%) had moderate anaemia and 32% had severe anaemia. Regarding overall perception regarding anaemia among reproductive age group women, only 9% have excellent perception. 50% have good perception, and 41% only have poor perception. There is no significant association between age group, symptoms, body mass index, parity, number of family members, and socioeconomic status with anaemia severity (P value > 0.05). Moderate and severe anaemia were more common in women who had birth interval ≤ 3 years, and it is statistically significant (P = 0.007). There is no significant association between age group, education, and socioeconomic status with perception of anaemia (P value > 0.05). With respect to profession and prior treatment status, we observed a significant association (P value < 0.05), where it was observed that study participants who were unemployed or unskilled and who had not received prior treatment had poorer perception regarding anaemia.

Keywords: Anaemia; perception; sociodemographic factors; women of reproductive age group.

Figure 1

Classification of anaemia among the study participants