Prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among the lactating and nonpregnant-nonlactating Tangkhul women

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a major public health issue throughout the world. Nutritional deficiencies in terms of iron, B12 (cobalamin) and B9 (folate) are the main causes of anemia in the absence of genetic abnormalities and chronic diseases in many countries. Lactating mothers are susceptible to anemia because of maternal iron depletion during lactation as well as blood loss during childbirth. Objective: The present study examines the prevalence of anemia among the lactating (cases) and nonpregnant-nonlactating (control) married Tangkhul women of Ukhrul district. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 individuals (lactating: 150; nonpregnant-nonlactating women: 250) from 11 villages of the Ukhrul district in Manipur. A pretested schedule, which included height, weight, and socio-demographic parameters were used. Body mass index = weight (in kg)/height (in metre2) was computed of each subject and categorized. Hemoglobin concentration was measured using Sahli's method. Statistical methods namely Chi-square (χ2) test and binary logistic regression were applied. Results: The prevalence of anemia was higher in the lactating women (62.0%) than nonpregnant-nonlactating women (56.8%). Odds ratio (OR) of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that anemia was significantly associated in both cases and control with low literacy level (OR = 5.03 and 3.71), low income (OR = 2.51 and 3.56), cultivator (OR = 6.20 and 3.86), and multigravida >4 (OR = 5.25 and 2.67), respectively. Conclusion: Dietary practices play an important role in causing anemia. Low literacy level, low income, cultivator, and high gravidity were identified as the associated risk factors of anemia.

Keywords

• anemia
• hemoglobin
• lactating
• nonpregnant-nonlactating
• tangkhul