High Prevalence of Anemia in Children in Dharavi Locality of Mumbai: Possible Role of Homeopathy

Selvan Senthil  Kumar; Ramachandran  Valavan; Raja  Manoharan; S.  Sabarirajan; Aishwarya; R. Sitharthan

doi:10.48165/ahr.2022.7.2.1

Authors

Selvan Senthil Kumar BHMS, MD (Hom) Scholar, Guru Mishri Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Shelgaon, Jalna, Maharashtra, India; Homeopathic Physician, Dr.Selvan’s Homeopathy, Dharavi, Mumbai.
Ramachandran Valavan BHMS, MD (Hom), MBA, Head – Scientific & Medical Affairs, Schwabe India. Homeopathic Physician, Dr.Valavans’ Homeopathy, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Delhi NCR, India.
Raja Manoharan BHMS, MD (Hom), Department of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata, India.
S. Sabarirajan M.D. (Hom) (Pract. of Med), PGDHHM, HOD, Dept. of Practice of Medicine, Sivaraj Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Institute (Affiliated to The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai), Thumbathulipatty, Salem - 636307, Tamilnadu
Aishwarya BHMS, MD (Hom), Asst. Professor Department of Practice of Medicine, Guru Mishri Homoepathic Medical College Shelgaon, Jalna, Maharashtra, India.
R. Sitharthan BHMS, MD (Hom)., Ph D (Hom)., Principal, Professor & HOD, Department of Practice of Medicine& Research Guide, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health (NHRIMH), Kottayam. Kerala, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ahr.2022.7.2.1

Keywords:

Anemia, Dharavi, Children, Slum, Nutrition, India

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of Anemia is reported to be as high as about 90% in some segments of the population in India. Dharavi is arguably the largest slum in Asia. Due to its socioeconomic status, there is a possibility of malnutrition in this area. We have surveyed the area for the prevalence of anemia in Dharavi.

Methods: The status was assessed with the help of Local Laboratories at Dharavi. Children from 5 to 15 years of age were surveyed from 7 different areas of Dharavi. Their name, age, gender, contact number and the hemoglobin level were collected in the survey and analysed based on WHO criteria of mild (11 – 11.4 g/ dL), moderate (8.1 – 10.9 g/dL) and severe anemia (<8g/dL) in primary school-age children (5-11 years), middle-school-age childhood (12-14 years) and secondary school-age childhood (15 years).

Results & Discussion: There were 673 children surveyed. Kumbharwada had the highest number of subjects with 172 children. There were 380 male and 293 females. 324 children were from the primary school-age group, 255 from the middle-school-age group (12-14 years) and 94 from secondary school age childhood (15 years). Of the total 673 children, 363 children were non-anemic, and 310 children were anemic. There were 44, 91, and 41 children who were of mild anemic from the primary school-age group respectively, 77, 23and 16 children were moderate anemic from the middle-school-age group respectively, and 8, 6 and 4 children were severely anemic from the secondary school-age group respectively.

Conclusion: Dharavi, one of the most populated localities in the world, has a significant number of children with anemia. Homoeopathic can be a possible solution for the same in addition to the appropriate supplement.