A Study on Prevalence of Anaemia among Women in Reproductive Age Group in Rural Areas of Coastal Karnataka

BACKGROUND Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. The most common type of anaemia is due to nutritional factors and is also found especially among women of reproductive age group, pregnant, and lactating mothers. Anaemia is indicative of poor nutrition and health. We wanted to estimate anaemia among women in the reproductive age group in rural areas of Coastal Karnataka in this  study. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study was done among women in the reproductive age group using an RDT kit in the rural areas of Coastal Karnataka. Villages were selected from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts of Coastal Karnataka. RESULTS Out of 540 subjects, 18.5% were in the age group of 30-34 followed by 16.8 % in the 40-44 years age group respectively. Based on the educational status, PUC level of education accounted for 40.9%. Among the study subjects, 477 were married, 60.1% had haemoglobin above 12mg/dl and 39.9% had less than 12mg/dl haemoglobin levels. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age group in Coastal Karnataka is about 39.9%. Compared to NFHS 5 data the prevalence of anemia is lower in Coastal Karnataka.