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Pregnant Women Aged 15-49 Years Who are Anaemic from 1998 to 2021 in India, by State

UID: HW-20241109-IN-02

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Meta Data

Source

National Family Health Surveys

Last Updated

November 13, 2024

Time Range

1998 – 2021

Periodicity

Round

Overview

“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.

Trends & Insights

Even though the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women rose from 20.3% in NFHS-2 (1998-99) to 31.4% in NFHS-5 (2019-21), Kerala consistently recorded the lowest prevalence compared to other states in the country. Even in a better-performing state, this rising trend raises questions about potential nutritional difficulties during pregnancy. Furthermore, some other states have also shown promising improvements during this period. For instance, Arunachal Pradesh consistently progressed and reduced its anaemia burden from 49.2% in NFHS-2 to 27.9% in NFHS-5. Nagaland also significantly improved and reported anaemia prevalence rates from 38.2% to 22.2% over these survey periods. However, these success stories are somewhat overshadowed by states showing deteriorating conditions. For example, the anaemia level among pregnant women in Bihar and Gujarat significantly worsened, rising from 46.4% in NFHS-2 to 63.1% in NFHS-5 and 47.4% in NFHS-2 to 62.6% in NFHS-5, respectively. A concerning pattern emerged in several states where recent increases followed initial improvements. For instance, in Odisha, the prevalence of anaemia decreased from 68.1% (NFHS-3) to 47.6% (NFHS-4) but then saw a sharp rise to 61.8% in NFHS-5. Similar patterns were observed in Assam, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal as well, suggesting challenges in sustaining improvements. Overall, this insight reveals that despite numerous maternal health programs and interventions, anaemia among pregnant women remains a significant public health challenge all across India. In most of the states, the burden of anaemia still ramined above 40% in the latest survey, with many exceeding 50%, indicating that existing interventions may need reassessment and strengthening. Furthermore, 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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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

National Family Health Surveys. (2024). Pregnant women aged 15-49 years who are anaemic from 1998 to 2021 in India, by state (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. 360 Analytika. https://360analytika.com/pregnant-women-aged-15-49-years-who-are-anaemic-in-india-by-state/

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