Assessment Of Dietary Intake Of Moderately Anaemic Pregnant Women Visiting A Primary Health Centre In Delhi

Abstract

Background: Even today, seven decades after independence, pregnancy anaemia remains one of  the major public health problems in India; associated with increased risks like maternal mortality  and low birth weight deliveries. Studies show that over 80% of all pregnant women in India are  anaemic; and almost 20% of these have moderate anaemia (Hb 5.0 - 8.0 g/dl). Diet is one of  the major factors that determine the nutritional status and haemoglobin levels of pregnant women.  Though, over decades, there has been an improvement in the dietary intake of pregnant women,  but their micronutrient intake is still much below their required allowances. Objective: To assess  the dietary intake of moderately anaemic pregnant women (second trimester) in a primary health  centre. Methodology: Diet survey was performed, 24 hour dietary recall was carried out on 141  moderately anaemic pregnant women who were in their second trimester of pregnancy and were  visiting a primary health centre in Delhi for their antenatal checkup. Results: The data showed that  majority (80%) of pregnant women had a two meal pattern in a day. Most of the meals comprised of  cereals with pulse/vegetable; intake of fruits and green leafy vegetables was very low; hence their  micronutrient intake, especially, iron and folic acid was below 50% of the RDA and this was one of  the reasons for their low haemoglobin levels (5.0-7.9 g/dl). Conclusion: Data showed that intake of  micronutrients, especially, iron and folic acid was low; this appears to be one of the major reasons  for their moderate anaemia condition. The prevailing condition cannot be corrected with dietary  changes alone and requires a more direct intervention too (giving intramuscular iron). Thus, all  pregnant women coming for ante-natal checkup for the first time must be screened for their degree of  anaemia and treated accordingly along with dietary modifications.