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Anaemia is a blood disorder that occurs mainly due to the deficiency of haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells) or the lack of healthy red blood cells. It can caused by various factors, including deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and folate; infections such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and parasitic diseases; chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer; as well as hereditary disorders like sickle cell anaemia, where red blood cells become abnormally crescent-shaped. Symptoms of anaemia include fatigue, lightheadedness, breathing difficulties, rapid or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, cold hands or feet, pale or yellowish skin, and chest discomfort. While mild anaemia can often be treated easily, more severe cases may require comprehensive medical intervention.
As per the NFHS-5 report, Indian children aged 6-59 months have shown particularly concerning levels of anaemia across India. Ladakh recorded an alarming 94.4% prevalence among children below 5 years (U5), the highest in the country, while Gujarat reported 80.1% of U5 Children being anaemic. These numbers have remained persistently high in several central states like Bihar (70.4%), Assam (70.3%), and Haryana (70.8%) – indicating a severe public health challenge. Kerala and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands maintained relatively better performance, with the prevalence of U5 anaemia at 39.3% and 40.1%, respectively, though these figures are still significant from a public health perspective. Among non-pregnant Indian women, Ladakh consistently showed the highest burden, with 93.7% being anaemic followed by West Bengal (71.7%). The situation was marginally better in states/UTs like Lakshadweep (26%), Manipur (29.3%), and Nagaland (29.3%), though these prevalence rates were still concerning. Overall, it is clearly evident that most of the Indian states have recorded anaemia prevalence rates above 50% for non-pregnant women, indicating a persistent nutritional challenge. Anaemia rates among pregnant women have shown significant regional variation. The prevalence rates of anaemia among pregnant women in Ladakh, Bihar, and Gujarat were notably high at 77.9%, 63.1%, and 62.6%, respectively. Conversely, states/UTs such as Lakshadweep (20.9%), Nagaland (22.2%), and Arunachal Pradesh (27.9%) reported comparatively lower rates. Despite these regional differences, the majority of states reported prevalence rates above 40%, posing significant health risks for both mothers and children and highlighting the severity of the overall situation. For Indian women aged 15-49 years, the pattern has remained similar to non-pregnant women. While Ladakh showed the highest prevalence at 92.8%, followed by West Bengal at 71.4%, states/UTs like Manipur (29.4%), Nagaland (28.9%), and Lakshadweep (25.8%) maintained lower rates, though the challenge persists. Adolescent women (15-19 years) have shown a particularly vulnerable status. Ladakh recorded an extremely high prevalence rate of 96.9%, while Jammu & Kashmir reported 76.2%. The rates remained significant even in better-performing states like Kerala (32.5%) and Manipur (27.9%). The anaemia prevalence rates among Indian men aged 15-49 years have generally remained lower than Indian women. Ladakh reported the highest prevalence rate at 76.6%, followed by West Bengal at 40%, while Lakshadweep (5.9%) and Manipur (6.2%) recorded the lowest prevalence rates. Most of the Indian states, however, reported prevalence rates exceeding 20%, underscoring that anaemia is not solely a women’s health issue. The situation is particularly alarming among adolescent males aged 15-19, especially in states like Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, where the prevalence rates were 91.9% and 54%, respectively. This thorough understanding has demonstrated how anaemia, which is incredibly common in women and children, continues to be a major public health concern across India. The pronounced regional differences have brought attention to the necessity of focused interventions and ongoing work to address this ongoing nutritional issue.
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