Prevalence and demographic distribution of anaemia among those visiting a teaching hospital located in tribal predominant block of Jharkhand: Retrospective record based analysis.

Background: Anaemia is a major public health concern in developing countries, with cases increasing rapidly among women, young girls, and children under age 5.

Aims: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anaemia and to identify the age and gender distribution of anaemia among those attending IPD/OPD of a teaching hospital located in the tribal block.

Methodology: The study was conducted at a multispecialty tertiary care hospital in tribal predominant area, Jharkhand, India. A retrospective, chart-based study design was adopted to achieve the objectives. All inpatient case records available from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and the electronic hospital information system of the institute were reviewed between January 1, 2021, and January 31, 2024.

Result: A total of 15004 reports were screened for detecting anaemia, of them 7095 (47.3%) were males and 7909 (52.7%) were females. The overall prevalence of any grade of anaemia was found in 6579 (43.8%; 95% CI: 43.1-44.6). Univariate logistic regression analysis to predict status of anaemia among study participants showed the odds of being anaemic was 1.5 times (95% CI: 1.2-2.1) higher among those with age >60 years compared to those who were in the age group of 1-4 years. Females had 2.3 times (95% CI: 2.2-2.5) higher odds of having anaemia than males.

Conclusion: This study shows that half of the patients attending hospital are anaemic and the burden increases as the age increases and highest among elderly >60 years. The results of our secondary data analysis should contribute to better screening and identifying the cases among people attending the hospital and also could aid planning services at the primary care level.