Counseling on Iron Deficiency Anemia in Rural Women

Introduction: NFHS-3 data revealed that among married women between the ages of 15-49 years, the prevalence of anemia has risen from 51.8 % in 1998-99 (NFHS-2) to 56.1% in 2005-06 (NFHS-3). Anemic adolescent mother is at high risk of miscarriages, maternal mortality and giving birth to still born and low birth weight babies with low iron reserves. Aims and objectives: This book is based on a study, main objective of which is to assess the impact of intervention techniques taken to improve the anemic status.

Materials and Methods: Iron deficient anemic (IDA) women of reproductive age group were grouped into two groups experimental and control .The women in the experimental group were then provided counseling and at the end of the operational research, indicators between the groups were statistically evaluated to study the impact of counseling. In case of pregnant women IDA pregnant women in their first trimester were selected and formed two group experiment and control group. Counseling was provided to the women in the experimental group and then at 8th month of pregnancy indicators was evaluated statistically, to analyze the impact of counseling.

Results: Statistical significant (p<0.05) results were obtained in terms of increased consumption of iron enriched food, health and personal hygiene practices, there were also statistical significant (p<0.05) increased in hemoglobin, and serum ferittin value and corresponding decrease in TIBC value among women in experimental group than that of control group.

In pregnant women there were significant improvement (p<0.05) in IFA compliance, increased in consumption of food that enhance iron absorption, intake of iron enriched food in diet and good personal hygiene practice, there were also statistical significant (p<0.05) increased in hemoglobin, and serum ferittin value and corresponding decrease in TIBC value among women in experimental group than that of control group.

Discussion and conclusion: Post interventional results in terms of dietary intake of iron rich food, health and personal hygiene practice showed significant improvement which in turn improved the anemic condition and reduce the prevalence of anemia among women in experimental group than that of control group in both non pregnant and pregnant group. Hence it may be tentatively concluded that nutritional, health and hygiene counseling proves beneficial in reducing anemia.