Anaemia grips rural Pb; women and elderly most at risk: Study

Time of India

2 days ago

Chandigarh: A significant proportion of adults in rural Punjab suffer from anaemia, with women of reproductive age and elderly men among the most vulnerable. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-funded research found urgent gaps in existing nutritional and health interventions.
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Anaemia is a medical condition marked by a deficiency of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. This shortfall can impair oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, potentially leading to various health complications.
The study, conducted in Mansa district, highlighted the critical role of gender, age, diet, and socio-economic factors in shaping the anaemia burden.
It underscores the urgency of strengthening grassroots health efforts and addressing the social determinants of nutrition.
Conducted by researchers from the department of anthropology, University of Delhi, the study surveyed 1,620 adults aged 30 and above across 14 villages in Mansa tehsil. The findings, published in the Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, offer a sobering picture: more than one in three individuals (35.68%) was anaemic.
Among women, anaemia prevalence stood at 42.66%, significantly higher than the 26.37% observed in men. The majority of anaemic women had mild to moderate anaemia, and the condition was most common among women aged 30-49. In contrast, anaemia among men increased steadily with age.
The study also found that dietary patterns played a critical role. Vegetarians had a significantly higher anaemia rate (39.24%) compared to non-vegetarians (29.02%).
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Homemakers and dependents reported the highest prevalence among occupational groups (41.57%). Surprisingly, non-drinkers had higher anaemia levels than those who consumed alcohol.
The adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that women were nearly twice as likely to be anaemic (adjusted odds ratio, which indicates the level of risk (AOR): 1.97) and over three times more likely to have moderate or severe anaemia (AOR: 3.33) than men.
Individuals from low-income households (annual income below Rs 2 lakh) also faced significantly greater anaemia risk.
Anaemia risk decreased with age, with individuals aged 50 and above showing significantly lower odds of the condition compared to those aged 30-39. Educational status emerged as a protective factor in men, with non-literates more likely to be anaemic.
The study also probed the type of anaemia prevalent in the population.
Microcytic and hypochromic anaemia — often linked to iron deficiency — were dominant, especially among women. Over 64% of anaemic individuals exhibited hypochromia, and 43% had microcytosis, suggesting iron deficiency as a primary cause. Macrocytic anaemia was rare.
Titled 'Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Predictors of Anaemia among Adults in Rural Punjab, India', the study was authored by Pratik Verma, Naorem Kiranmala Devi, Ravleen Kaur Bakshi, Kallur Nava Saraswathy, Suresh Dahal, and Vineet Chaudhary.
Researchers caution that while India has long focused on iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation through programmes such as Anaemia Mukt Bharat, the persistent burden of anaemia points to deeper structural and dietary issues. They call for a comprehensive strategy — one that moves beyond supplements to include dietary diversification, promotion of iron-rich local foods, and culturally responsive community-based interventions.
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Anaemia is a medical condition marked by a deficiency of healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. This shortfall can impair oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, potentially leading to various health complications.
Prevalence of Anaemia with Respect to Socio-Demographic Characteristics
AGE (in years) | ANAEMIA % | MALE % | FEMALE%
30-39 | 38.3 | 15.79 | 51.44
40-49 | 40.45 | 21.52 | 52.92
50-59 | 33.24 | 30.12 | 35.82
60-69 | 30.99 | 31.25 | 30.73
70 &above | 31.45 | 37.70 | 25.40
MSID:: 122264884 413 |