Knowledge and awareness related to Anemia and its treatment; among the Non-Medico Population in the PCMC Region: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Shweta Gupta; Joshi Mrudula Vinayak; Shipra Agrahari; Joshi Vinayak Nilkanth

doi:10.21760/jaims.9.6.6

Shweta Gupta Post Graduate Scholar, 2Professor & HOD, Department of Ayurveda Samhita Siddhanta, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Ayurveda and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Joshi Mrudula Vinayak Professor & HOD, Department of Ayurveda Samhita Siddhanta, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Ayurveda and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Shipra Agrahari Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Ayurveda Samhita Siddhanta, Shri Dhantwantari Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Centre, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Joshi Vinayak Nilkanth Professor & HOD, Department of Rog Nidana Evam Vikruti Vigyan, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Ayurveda and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.9.6.6

Keywords: Anemia, Iron deficiency, hemoglobin, Folic acid, CBC, Menstrual blood loss, Intestinal worm infestation

Abstract

Background: Anemia, a significant public health concern, particularly among the young adult population aged 18-25 years, is a condition characterized by low hemoglobin levels and reduced red blood cells. Objectives: A cross-sectional survey study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding anemia and its treatment in non-medico population. Material & Methods: Data from ACS college of PCMC region were obtained by conducting a survey with 307 respondents from the target age group. The survey instrument consisted of validated closed-ended questionnaire designed to evaluate respondents’ knowledge and practices concerning anemia. Results: The survey revealed a generally high level of awareness about anemia as a health issue caused by low iron levels and reduced red blood cell (RBC) counts. Most respondents (83.1%) identified the complete blood count (CBC) as the primary diagnostic test for anemia and recognized iron supplementation (86.6%) and blood transfusions (89.6%) as treatment options. However, gaps in knowledge were identified. The contributing factors, such as worm infestations (37.1%), heavy menstruation (78.5%), and dietary deficiencies (14%), are not widely understood. The survey also highlighted societal biases, with 68.4% perceiving anemic adolescent girls as physically feeble. Regular hemoglobin monitoring and deworming medication intake practices were limited. Conclusion: Anemia awareness was relatively high among the studied population, targeted educational efforts could enhance the understanding of its multifactorial causes, symptoms and treatment. Identified knowledge gaps like misconceptions and biases can lead to improved anemia prevention. Regular hemoglobin monitoring and increasing access to deworming medication could be valuable interventions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anemia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 9]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3929-anemia

Gadó K, Khodier M, Virág A, Domján G, Dörnyei G. Anemia of geriatric patients. Physiol Int [Internet]. 2022 Jun 30 [cited 2024 May 2];109(2):119–34. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360

Press Information Bureau [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 6]. Available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage. aspx?PRID=1795421

(PDF) Awareness of Anemia Causes Among Saudi Population In Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia‏ [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 9]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260230608_Awareness_Of_Anemia_Causes_Among_Saudi_Population_In_Qassim_Region_Saudi_Arabia

Let S, Tiwari S, Singh A, Chakrabarty M. Prevalence and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in Aspirational Districts of India: an analysis of NFHS 4 and NFHS 5 data. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2024 Dec 1 [cited 2024 May 9];24(1):1–19. Available from: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-17789-3

Gillespie B, Katageri G, Salam S, Ramadurg U, Patil S, Mhetri J, et al. Attention for and awareness of anemia in adolescents in Karnataka, India: A qualitative study. PLoS One [Internet]. 2023 Apr 1 [cited 2024 May 9];18(4). Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC10075435/

Pareek P. A Study on Anemia Related Knowledge Among Adolescent Girls. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. 2015;4(3):273.

Gillespie B, Katageri G, Salam S, Ramadurg U, Patil S, Mhetri J, et al. Attention for and awareness of anemia in adolescents in Karnataka, India: A qualitative study. PLoS One [Internet]. 2023 Apr 1 [cited 2024 Apr 25];18(4). Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC10075435/

Mujeeb. Technical Handbook on Anemia in Adolescents WEEKLY IRON AND FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME.

Freeman AM, Rai M, Morando DW. Anemia Screening. StatPearls [Internet]. 2023 Jul 25 [cited 2024 Apr 29]; Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books /NBK499905/

Gadó K, Khodier M, Virág A, Domján G, Dörnyei G. Anemia of geriatric patients. Physiol Int [Internet]. 2022 Jun 30 [cited 2024 Apr 29];109(2):119–34. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions /anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360

Avoiding Anemia | NIH News in Health [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 29]. Available from: https://newsinhealth. nih.gov/2014/01/avoiding-anemia

Tsai KZ, Lai SW, Hsieh CJ, Lin CS, Lin YP, Tsai SC, et al. Association between mild anemia and physical fitness in a military male cohort: The CHIEF study. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2019 Aug 1 [cited 2024 May 2];9(1):11165. Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC6671998/

Anemia - Treatment and Management | NHLBI, NIH [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 29]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/treatment

Alleyne M, Horne MK, Miller JL. Individualized treatment for iron deficiency anemia in adults. Am J Med [Internet]. 2008 Nov [cited 2024 May 2];121(11):943. Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC 2582401/

Maciej Serda, Becker FG, Cleary M, Team RM, Holtermann H, The D, et al. Synteza i aktywność biologiczna nowych analogów tiosemikarbazonowych chelatorów żelaza. G. Balint, Antala B, Carty C, Mabieme JMA, Amar IB, Kaplanova A, editors. Uniwersytet śląski [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2024 Apr 29];7(1):343–54. Available from: https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/anemia

Farid Z, Patwardhan VN, Darby WJ. Parasitism and Anemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969 Apr 1;22(4):498–503.

Shah SS, Shah R, Basnet R, Patel D, Bhattarai U, Shah B, et al. Worm infestation as a cause of severe anemia in a frail older adult: a case report. Annals of Medicine and Surgery [Internet]. 2023 Oct [cited 2024 May 2];85(10):5149. Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC 10553005/

Anemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 30]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-anemia-basics

Weckmann G, Kiel S, Chenot JF, Angelow A. Association of Anemia with Clinical Symptoms Commonly Attributed to Anemia—Analysis of Two Population-Based Cohorts. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2023 Feb 1 [cited 2024 Apr 30];12(3):921. Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC 9918126/

Diet plan for anemia: Best meals and foods for boosting iron [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 4]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322336

Heath ALM, Skeaff CM, O’Brien SM, Gibson RS, Williams SM. Can dietary treatment of nonanemic iron deficiency improve iron status? J Am Coll Nutr [Internet]. 2001 Oct 1 [cited 2024 Apr 30];20(5):477–84. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11601562/

Gadó K, Khodier M, Virág A, Domján G, Dörnyei G. Anemia of geriatric patients. Physiol Int [Internet]. 2022 Jun 30 [cited 2024 Apr 30];109(2):119–34. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360

Nelson AL, Ritchie JJ. Severe anemia from heavy menstrual bleeding requires heightened attention. Am J Obstet Gynecol [Internet]. 2015 Jul 1 [cited 2024 Apr 30];213(1):97.e1-97.e6. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25935784/

Mansour D, Hofmann A, Gemzell-Danielsson K. A Review of Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Adv Ther [Internet]. 2021 Jan 1 [cited 2024 May 6];38(1):201. Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC7695235/

Gattas BS, Ibetoh CN, Stratulat E, Liu F, Wuni GY, Bahuva R, et al. The Impact of Low Hemoglobin Levels on Cognitive Brain Functions. Cureus [Internet]. 2020 Nov 8 [cited 2024 May 6];12(11). Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC7723430/

5 signs of iron deficiency in your skin, hair and nails | Health - Hindustan Times [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 30]. Available from: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ lifestyle/health/5-signs-of-iron-deficiency-in-your-skin-hair-and-nails-101669276369349.html

Pallor (Paleness): Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 6]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pallor

Coffey D, Geruso M, Spears D. Sanitation, Disease Externalities and Anemia: Evidence From Nepal. Econ J (London) [Internet]. 2018 Jun 1 [cited 2024 Apr 30];128(611):1395. Available from:/pmc/articles/PMC 6001781/

Freeman AM, Rai M, Morando DW. Anemia Screening. StatPearls [Internet]. 2023 Jul 25 [cited 2024 May 7]; Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /books/NBK499905/

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEMOGLOBIN SCREENING AND ITS IMPACT ON ANEMIA PATIENTS | Isotekindo [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 7]. Available from: https://www.isotekindo.co.id/article/details/222

Starkey LA, Blagburn BL. Antiparasitic Drugs. Greene’s Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, Fifth Edition [Internet]. 2023 May 29 [cited 2024 May 7];149–60. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /books/NBK544251/