A study to assess the prevalence of anemia among patients attending an urban health training center in Bihar: One year experience of anemia Mukt Bharat test and treat campaign

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a major and serious public health problem. Its prevalence is disproportionately high in developing countries due to its low socio-economic status and poor access to health services. Consequently, this study was conducted to sought the prevalence of anemia as well as its association with the sociodemographic characteristics among the beneficiaries of Anemia Mukt Bharat test and treat campaign in an Urban Health Training Centre in Bihar. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anemia among patients attending an Urban health training center in Bihar. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective record based study conducted at Urban Health Training Centre running under Department of Community and Family Medicine of a Tertiary care teaching hospital. The registered cases from September 2018 to August 2019 were taken up and case records were retrieved. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, State of Illinois, United States) version 21 software. Results: Screening of total 2042 was done over the study period of 1 year. The overall prevalence of anemia among the beneficiaries was 64.3% (95% CI: 62.3–66.5%) in the study. Significantly higher prevalence of anemia was noted among the adolescent girls (62.5%), pregnant women (62.4%), and reproductive age female (71.1%). Whereas, only 32.3% male were found to be anemic. Furthermore, illiteracy (73.5%), non-consumption of non-vegetarian diet (69.3%), and IFA tablet (84.6%) were found to be associated with anemia. Conclusion: The association of anemia with few socio demographic and dietary factors has been highlighted through the study findings. Screening programs for anemia, awareness campaigns, deworming program, fortification of food and salt with iron and folic acid, and non-pharmacological interventions such as cooking in iron utensils are some of the measures that can be implemented.