• UGI USER
  • Mar 24, 2024
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ANAEMIA PREVALENCE IN EIGHT STATES FOUND TO BE OVERESTIMATED

Syllabus:

  • GS-2 -Social justice ,Health and the associated impact
  • GS-3– Advancement in the field of health ,science and technology

Focus:

  • WHO calls for accelerated efforts to reduce anaemia and Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy in line with it
Source:- Ministry of Health

Introduction:

  • A study conducted across eight states in India involving 4,613 participants revealed that the prevalence of anemia has been overestimated by previous surveys.
  • The study, led by Dr. Anura Kurpad from St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, utilized venous blood instead of capillary blood to measure hemoglobin and iron status.

Methodology:

  • Previous surveys, including the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS), measured hemoglobin using finger-prick-based capillary blood.
  • The latest study used venous blood, providing a more accurate measurement of hemoglobin levels and iron status through ferritin.
  • Capillary blood hemoglobin measurements tend to underestimate the true value due to a phenomenon called plasma-skimming, leading to dilution and lower hemoglobin values.

Prevalence of Anemia:

  • The study found that the prevalence of anemia was predominantly of the mild variety.
  • Overall, 18.4% of the entire sample were mildly anemic, 14.7% were moderately anemic, and 1.8% were severely anemic.
  • Women had a higher prevalence of anemia compared to men, with moderate anemia being significantly higher in women (22%) compared to men (7.6%).
  • Anaemia prevalence varied across different demographics: Adolescent girls, adults, and elderly women had higher prevalence rates compared to their male counterparts.

Comparison with NFHS Surveys:

  • The prevalence of anemia was much higher in NFHS surveys that used capillary blood compared to the latest study.
  • The discrepancy highlights the importance of using accurate methods for measuring hemoglobin levels to assess the true prevalence of anemia.

Regional Disparities:

  • The prevalence of anemia varied across different states, with Assam having the highest prevalence (69.8% overall) and Meghalaya having the lowest (12.1% overall).

Causes of Anemia:

Anemia :

Anemia occurs when the body has too few red blood cells or when these cells lack enough oxygen-carrying capability to meet the body’s physiological requirements. The extent of these needs can differ based on factors such as age, gender, altitude, smoking habits, and whether an individual is pregnant.

Steps to Tackle Anemia :

  • Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) was initiated in 2018 under the Intensified National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) Program to accelerate the annual decline rate of anaemia from one to three percentage points.
  • The Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program aims to address the high prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls and boys.
  • Operationalization of Blood Banks is underway in District Hospitals and Blood Storage Units at subdistrict facilities like Sub-Divisional Hospitals and Community Health Centers to manage complications arising from severe anaemia.
  • Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) focuses on conducting special antenatal care (ANC) check-ups on the 9th of every month, led by medical officers/obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYN), to identify and treat anaemia cases.
  • Other measures include biannual deworming with Albendazole to control worm infestation.   
  • Iron deficiency was found to be a driver of anemia in some cases but not the sole cause.
  • Other factors such as vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, inflammation, and dietary factors contribute to the prevalence of anemia.
  • The focus on iron deficiency as the main cause of anemia in India may overlook other contributing factors.

Policy Implications:

  • The study suggests that policies focused solely on iron supplementation may need to be reconsidered.
  • Excess iron intake can lead to oxidative stress and pose risks to overall health.
  • Addressing inflammation and promoting dietary diversity may be more effective strategies for combating anemia.

Recommendations:

  • Diversifying diets to include millets, which are more resilient to climate change and contain higher amounts of iron and calcium, can help improve overall nutrient intake.
  • Policies should focus on reducing inflammation naturally through dietary interventions rather than relying solely on iron supplementation.

Conclusion:

  • The study highlights the need for accurate methods of measuring hemoglobin levels to assess the true prevalence of anemia.
  • It underscores the importance of addressing multiple factors, including dietary diversity and inflammation, in combating anemia effectively.
  • Policy interventions should consider the holistic approach to nutrition and health to address the complex issue of anemia in India.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Practice Question :

GS-3

“Discuss the causes of Anemia .Also, suggest alternative strategies for addressing anemia based on various recommendations.”

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