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“Pregnant Women Aged 15-49 Years Who are Anaemic” refers to the percentage or number of pregnant women within the reproductive age range (15-49 years) with lower-than-normal haemoglobin levels in their blood. Anaemia in pregnant women is commonly caused by nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. It is a significant public health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries, as it increases the risk of maternal and neonatal complications, such as premature birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. Monitoring anaemia in pregnant women is critical for ensuring their health and the well-being of their babies. Various interventions, such as iron supplementation, improved dietary practices, and better healthcare access, are essential for reducing anaemia rates. Governments and international organizations often track this indicator to assess women’s health status and design interventions to improve maternal health outcomes.
Kerala consistently has the lowest prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women, though there is a concerning upward trend from 20.3% in NFHS-2 (1998-99) to 31.4% in NFHS-5 (2019-21). This increasing trend, even in a better-performing state, raises concerns about nutritional challenges during pregnancy. Similarly, Lakshadweep shows impressive improvement, recording the lowest rate of 20.9% in NFHS-5, though this data point is marked with an asterisk suggesting possible statistical considerations.
Several states have shown alarming increases in recent years. Bihar’s situation has steadily worsened across surveys, rising from 46.4% in NFHS-2 to 63.1% in NFHS-5. Gujarat also shows a significant deterioration, with rates increasing from 47.4% to 62.6% over the same period. In recent surveys, Ladakh presents a particularly concerning situation with consistently high rates, around 78-79%, indicating a severe public health challenge in this high-altitude region.
Some states have shown promising improvements. Arunachal Pradesh consistently progresses, reducing anaemia from 49.2% in NFHS-2 to 27.9% in NFHS-5. Nagaland also significantly improved, lowering rates from 38.2% to 22.2% over the survey periods. However, these success stories are somewhat overshadowed by states showing deteriorating conditions.
A concerning pattern emerges in several states where recent increases followed initial improvements. Odisha, for instance, had reduced anaemia from 68.1% (NFHS-3) to 47.6% (NFHS-4) but then saw a sharp rise to 61.8% in NFHS-5. Similar patterns are observed in Assam, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, suggesting challenges in sustaining improvements.
The data reveals that despite numerous maternal health programs and interventions, anaemia among pregnant women remains a significant public health challenge across India. Most states show rates above 40% in the latest survey, with many exceeding 50%, indicating that existing interventions may need reassessment and strengthening. The fluctuating patterns in many states also suggest the need for more consistent and sustainable approaches to maternal nutrition and healthcare.
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