Research Paper
Year: 2021 | Month: October-December | Volume: 6 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 335-340
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20211046
Anemia Prevalence in India Over Two Decades: Evidence from National Family Health Survey (NFHS)
Ekta Belwal1, Shalini Pandey2, Supta Sarkar3
1PhD Scholar, Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Home Science,G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, US Nagar, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Home Science, Government Degree College, Kanda, Bageshwar, India
3Assistant Professor, Department of Foods & Nutrition, College of Community Science,Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Saifabad, Hyderabad-500 004
Corresponding Author: Ekta Belwal
ABSTRACT
Anemia is the most prevalent deficiency disease and one among the major nutrition related goals globally. Children and women of reproductive age are the most vulnerable groups for anemia everywhere. While there are various nutritional and non-nutritional factors causing anemia, Iron deficiency is the most prominent of them. In India, more than half population of preschool age children and reproductive age women is suffering from anemia. Indian government had started anemia prophylaxis efforts a half century ago and still continuing to battle with this ever prevalent disease to bring down its occurrence. National Family Health Survey is the large-scale survey conducted in India to provide high-quality data on health and family welfare and related emerging issues. The data provided not only helps in formulation, revision and monitoring of the policies and programs but in situating the development of India globally. Studying the time trend for anemia prevalence and other related parameters reported in NFHS surveys helps how well India has performed until now and how far is from its goal to become Anemia free country.
Keywords: Anemia, iron deficiency, health survey, child health, maternal health.