ANTHROPOMETRY AND BLOOD HAEMOGLOBIN STATUS OF WOMEN IN MAKWANPUR DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

Background The nutritional situation of women in Nepal remains precarious. Low energy, protein and micronutrient intakes contribute to high levels of stunting and anaemia throughout the life cycle. This suboptimal nutritional status contributes to high prevalences of low birth weight and death in early infancy. As background information for an ongoing study of perinatal health interventions in 24 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Makwanpur District, a descriptive study of nutritional status and anaemia in a sample of women was carried out. Objectives To measure weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and blood haemoglobin in non-pregnant married women of reproductive age. Methods Participants aged between 15 and 49 years were recruited at 12 sites in five VDCs. Personal details were collected in each case, after which height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and blood haemoglobin level were measured. Results Results are available for 500 women. Mean height was 149.9 cm (95% confidence interval for mean 149.5 – 150.4 cm); mean weight was 45.5 kg (95% CI 44.9 - 46.1 kg); mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 20.2 kg/m2(95% CI 20.0 – 20.4 kg/m 2); mean MUAC was 23.47 cm (95% CI 23.2 – 23.7 cm). Overall, 27.8% (95% CI 24.1 – 32.2%) of women showed evidence of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) on the basis of BMI, and 51.5% (95% CI 47.0 – 56.0%) on the basis of MUAC. There were no significant differences in BMI or MUAC between either ethnic or age groups. 35.3% of women were anaemic (95% CI 31.1 – 39.7%), one percent severely so. There were no significant differences in prevalence between ethnic groups, but there was some evidence of an increase in anaemia prevalence with age. Conclusions CED and anaemia appear common in Makwanpur District. As part of a package to improve newborn infant outcome, access to and uptake of haematinics during pregnancy should be beneficial. Community level intervention needs to attempt to address the issue of food intake in young girls and women before improvements in nutritional status are possible Key Words: Anaemia, anthropometry, nutritional status, Nepal.