Raouf Dar
Srinagar Sep 15: In a major concern, anemia is one of the most common diseases among people with over 27 lakh women suffering from this illness in Jammu and Kashmir.
Anemia is a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells – lowers the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen to the body’s cells and organs, leaving a person sluggish, breathless, and easily tired.
In Jammu and Kashmir, anemia is a major public health problem especially seen among women of childbearing age, during pregnancy and lactation. This increases the risk of maternal, fetal mortality, and morbidity among them.
According to official figures, over 27 lakh women in Jammu and Kashmir are anemic.
According to the figures Jammu leads with 349,848 anemic cases of non-pregnant women followed by Anantnag with 240,841 cases, Baramulla 223,242 cases, Srinagar 219,726 cases, and Kupwara 164,023.
Among pregnant women, Srinagar leads with 37,940 cases of anemic women followed by Jammu with 30,289 cases, Baramulla 13,105 cases, Anantnag 12,408 cases, and Udhampur with 7,306 cases.
A recent study titled `Anemia in pregnant women in a rural block of Kashmir valley: Its prevalence and socio-demographic associates’, was conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, Sher-i Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS).
It assessed the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and reported the socio-demographic factors associated with anemia during pregnancy.
“A high prevalence (91%) of anemia (Hb less than 11g/dl) was observed. The prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in those aged greater than 35 years. A highly significant association was found with women’s age, parity, educational and socioeconomic status. However, family type and birth interval were not significantly associated with anemia,” the study said.
“Like blood pressure, anemia is among the most common diseases among women in J&K,” said a doctor at SKIMS Soura.
The doctor said it can be caused by a deficiency of iron, vitamin B, or folic acid. (KINS)
