Chapter VI Summary & Conclusion

II

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Nutritional anemia though global in occurrence is a major concern in developing

countries and it primarily affect females. The present study highlights that it is very
common in Indian females giving rise to many health hazards.
Overall prevalence of anemia in a screened population was 61.37% in present
prospective randomized study and nutritional anemia was found in 55.62%. Mild
anemia was most common and found in 55.0% of subjects, while 36.0% had
moderate anemia and 9.0% subjects were having severe anemia. Iron deficiency
was universally present in all these cases. Folic acid deficiency was associated in
7% cases, while Vitamin 812 deficiency was uncommon.
Nutritional anemia was found more in females from rural areas and low income
groups. Education, occupation status, community and diet had no influence on the
prevalence of nutritional anemia in the present study. There was no correlation
with the birth order of the study subjects and prevalence of nutritional anemia.
Knowledge of anemia and iron rich diet was not found in 64.0% of anemic subjects
and 72.1 of subjects were not knowing their hemoglobin. Newer and newer
innovative strategies are required to improve the health awareness and nutritional
status of adolescent girls before they enter the reproductive age. A massive
education program regarding food rich in iron and folic acid, dietary habits and
cooking methods can play a very important role.
The results of the present clinical study showed there was no much difference
regarding weight and body mass index (BMI), between anemic subjects and
controls. The nutritional anemias were causing reduced work capacity, increased
susceptibility to infections and impaired cognitive performance in anemic subjects
which was statistically significant. Reduced work capacity among anemic working
women is a setback to the economic development & productivity of the country.

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Increased susceptibility to infections affects their general health and impaired

cognitive performance can affect their performance in education and at workplace.
In pregnant subjects there was increased maternal morbidity as well as perinatal
morbidity and mortality as compared to controls which was statistically significant.
lnspite of various measures taken to control anemia in the last two decades the
problem continues & remain as a public health issue of great magnitude.
Anemia kills more individuals than HIV but more people know about HIV than
anemia. This is a result of mass propaganda for HIV AIDS which is highly needed
for anemia.
It is heartening to note that nutritional anemias are given attention in recent years
by Government as yvell as NGOs, still the results of this study suggest that more
intensive interventions are warranted to overcome this highly preventable
condition.

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