PREVALENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

The major health problem mainly in the developed countries is anemia during the pregnancy which is linked with the many side effects. [1] World health organization (WHO) has set the limit to define the anemia if the hemoglobin (hb) level is less than 11 g/dl [2] WHO has stated that if the prevalence of anemia is 5.0% or higher it should be considered as significant problem. If in any population the prevalence of anemia is more than 40% it must be specified as major health problem. It was a cross-sectional study containing 350 women age rages between 19-40 years. All healthy pregnant women with HB less than 11g/dl were recruited into the study. A detailed health data could be acquired such as parity, menstrual characteristics, infections, previous iron or blood transfusions, etc. The Government needs to take solid steps to improve the quality of education and socioeconomic status of females, increase the number of health care providers and intensify public education. Health behavior’s need to be changed and adherence to the prescribed programs by the government is needed. Providing long term iron supplementation and dietary modification starting from adolescence may improve the hemoglobin levels and later on prevent anemia in pregnancy