Impact of Community Based Nutrition Intervention in the Prevention and Control of Anaemia Among Reproductive Aged Women of India.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Maternal and child under-nutrition is particularly widespread in low and middle-income nations, increasing the overall disease burden due to poor nutritional status. The aim of this study was to develop nutrition intervention for the prevention and control of anaemia among women of reproductive age. METHODS: Community-based intervention study was conducted among 443 women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) to determine the effectiveness of a 6-month nutrition intervention package. The nutrition intervention was developed by using Precede-Proceed model and the trans-theoretical model of behavior change. Multi-channel communication approach was adopted and nutrition intervention package was provided. Assessment of haemoglobin, red blood cells, platelet, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, haematocrit test, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width and total leucocyte count was compared at the baseline and endline after the intervention among the participants. The chi-square test of independence and t-test were performed. RESULTS: The only mean ferritin level shows significant improvement (p < 0.001). A significant decrease (~ 15%, p = 0.027) in anaemia was observed after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in anaemic status of women was observed. National schemes and programs require a more robust strategical implementation like food fortification/bio fortification and behaviour change communication at village level to enhance the availability and accessibility of fortified food.