IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

IMPORTANCE OF IRON FORTIFIED FOOD (WHEAT) FOR PREVENTION

Abstract

Around 65% of pregnant women in South Asia suffer from IDA & in Indian
sub-continent alone, the rate of developing IDA during pregnancy is 88%. Moreover anemic
pregnant patients are more likely to give birth to low birth weight babies which itself is another
factor adding to socio-economic burden on the whole family. The food has not been fortified for
Iron, Zinc & Vitamin D & hence the prevention of anemia has not yet been achieved Objectives:
To study Awareness of women about food fortification & prevention of IDA Vs cost for treating
anemia. Period: August 2015-Dec 2015. Study Design: Observational Study. Settings: At Bhatti
International Hospital, Kasur Results: Among the selected anemic women, almost half (55%)
had mild anemia, while rest had moderate to severe anemia indicting that the prevalence is very
common. The treatment offered was oral &/or IV Iron with blood transfusions. The cost of iv Iron
therapy & blood transfusions estimates in thousands with added risks of Transfusion Reactions,
allergic reactions& transmission of blood-borne diseases like HCV,HBV,HIV(AIDS)&others. The
awareness level was found to be poor among these women .Only 8/60 i.e 13% had some
idea about iron deficiency anemia & almost none knew about food fortifications. The insight
about their own disease of IDA was also 35% (21/60) indicating that most of the women in
community live with IDA without any understanding of a preventable condition. Conclusion:
The cost & time spend to treat IDA can be minimizes creating awareness about food fortification
& supplementation.