Q. Context/Why is it in news:
· Questions related to anaemia were slated to be dropped from the National
Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) scheduled to began on July 6. The omission comes
after health experts questioned the efficacy of the method being used to
estimate haemoglobin levels. India’s anaemia burden has grown alarmingly with
NFHS-5 (2019-21) finding that 57% of
women in the age group 15-49 and 67% children between six months and 59 months
are anaemic (from the corresponding 53% and 58.6% respectively in NFHS-4
(2015-16)).
Q. What causes anaemia?
· According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anaemia is a condition
in which the number of red blood cells
or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal.
· Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if there are too few red blood
cells, or not enough haemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s
tissues, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness and
shortness of breath among others.
· Anaemia, according to WHO, may be caused by several factors. The most
common nutritional cause of anaemia is iron
deficiency although deficiencies in folate,
vitamins B12 and A are also important causes.
Q. New Assessment Method
· According to the Health Ministry, assessment of anaemia in India is
being shifted to the new Diet and
Biomarkers Survey in India (DABS-I), launched last year to map diet,
nutrition and health status and provide the correct estimate of anaemia among
the rural and urban population.
Q.What prompted the change?
· Researchers had cautioned that there is a danger of anaemia being
over-diagnosed in India as it follows WHO cut-offs for haemoglobin which may
not be suited to India, because the cut-off point depends on the age, gender,
physiological status, altitude and other factors.
· The WHO defines anaemia in children aged under five years and pregnant
women as a haemoglobin concentration <110 g/L at sea level, and anaemia in
non-pregnant women as a haemoglobin concentration <120 g/L.
· The study by the Indian team also pointed to differences in the way
blood is drawn for sampling in NFHS. The NFHS survey measured haemoglobin in a
drop of capillary blood that oozes from a finger prick. This, as per the
report, can dilute the blood and give a falsely lower value. The recommended
method of venous blood sampling, as per the report, gives a more accurate
value.
Q. Will a dietary survey help?
· The Health Ministry says DABS-I
is a comprehensive national-level dietary survey, which will define food
and nutrient adequacy by collecting individual dietary intake data of different
age-groups of people from all States and UTs across the country.
· The study will also provide nutrient composition data on cooked and
uncooked foods from various regions of the country for the first time. On the
other hand, NHFS provides information on population, health, and nutrition for
India and each State/UT. Besides providing evidence for the effectiveness of
ongoing programmes, the data from NFHS helps in identifying the need for new
programmes with an area specific focus.
Q. Why
the focus on anaemia?
· Data on anaemia remains an important indicator of public health since anaemia is related to morbidity and
mortality in the population groups usually considered to be the most vulnerable
— pregnant women and children under five.
· A prevalence study on anaemia is useful to monitor the progress of reproductive health.
· Also, iron-deficiency anaemia reduces the work capacity of individuals
and entire populations, with serious consequences for the economy and national
development.