Over half of Telangana’s women and children found anemic, NFHS data rings alarm bells

Recent NFHS data reveals a concerning surge in anemia cases across Telangana, particularly among women, children, and adolescents. The prevalence among children under five has jumped to 70 per cent, while over half of women of reproductive age are anemic.

Hyderabad: Telangana has recorded a sharp rise in the levels of anemia among women and children in the last few years. More than half of women and children in Telangana are anemic, raising an important question over their nutritional habits and the need for targeted interventions by the state’s health wing.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data of the last few years has indicated that the anemia rates have worsened, signaling a major public health challenge for the State.

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Among children from 6 months up to 5 years in Telangana, the prevalence of anemia has jumped from 60.7 percent (NFHS-4) to 70 percent (NFHS-5) , affecting more than two-thirds of young children in Telangana.

Among women from 15 years to 49 years, the prevalence of anemia has risen from 56.6 percent to 57.6 percent , affecting over half of the women of reproductive age in the state.

While public health officials cite factors such as poor nutrition, iron deficiency, and a lack of access to fortified foods as primary contributors.

Senior doctors familiar with the issue point out that there is a need for a more intensive, community-wide approach to reverse the alarming trend of rising levels of anemia among children and women.

The rising trend of anemia levels is consistent among all the age groups. For instance, among adolescent girls between 15 years and 19 years, the prevalence of anemia levels increased from 55.4 percent to 59.1 percent.

Similarly, among adolescent boys, the levels have risen from 29.2 percent to 31.1 percent. Among pregnant women (15 years to 49 years), the rise in the levels of anemia has been from 52.2 percent to 53. 9 percent.

Sharp rise in anemia levels among children and women in Telangana

* Children (6 years-5 years): 607 percent to 70 percent

* Women (15 years-49 years): 53.1 percent to 57.6 percent

* Two third of children and over half of women in Telangana are anemic ‘

* National average for children is 67.1 percent and women is 57 percent