Maternal anaemia: a persistent problem in rural Tamil Nadu.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of maternal anaemia continues to be high (over 70%) in India in spite of a major nationwide intervention programme. This study was carried out in June 1996 on a representative sample of pregnant women from K.V. Kuppam and Gudiyatham blocks of Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India.


METHODS
Haemoglobin (Hb) estimations were done in a sample of 895 pregnant women in both the blocks while serum ferritin (SF) levels were estimated on a subsample of 445 pregnant women.


RESULTS
The prevalence of maternal anaemia (Hb < 11 g/dl) was 69.3% (35.8% moderately anaemic, 30.2% mildly anaemic and 3.3% severely anaemic). The mean Hb was 10.1 g/dl. Prevalence of iron deficiency was 36.3% [SF < 12 micrograms/L, mean SF 24.3 micrograms/L (range: 1.5-153 micrograms/L)]. Iron deficiency anaemia as defined by Hb < 11 g/dl and SF < 12 micrograms/L was 29.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of maternal anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia continues to be high in spite of planned interventions implemented at the national level.
Rajaratnam
J
J
Christian Medical College and Hospital, RUHSA Campus, P.O., Vellore District 632209, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abel
R
R
Ganesan
C
C
Jayaseelan
S A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population
D006454:Hemoglobins