The Burden of Anemia: A Study of SC Women's Health in Haryana

Author(s): Ruby, Anil, Lalit Sharma

One of the significant global public health issues that exists, especially among reproductive-age women and children in underdeveloped nations, is anemia, which has serious repercussions for survival, economic growth, and overall health. Poor nutritional status, especially the decline in coarse cereals in the Indian diet, which lowers iron intake, is the main reason for the high incidence of anemia among Indian women. Women who suffer from anemia are severely impacted because it impairs their ability to perform physical labour and stunts their growth, making them ill-prepared to handle the challenges of pregnancy and parenting. The present study explores the socioeconomic risk factors of anemia among women of the scheduled caste in Haryana. The SCs are the most disadvantaged group in India. They occupy the lowest status in the hereditary and hierarchical caste system of India and have been subjected to oppression and untouchability by the upper castes. The present attempt is based on the Demographic Health Survey data from the 4th and 5th National Family Health Survey editions. The study's findings suggest that anemia among women (15-49) has slightly decreased from 62.7 per cent in NFHS-4 to 60.4 per cent in NFHS-5. The severity of anemia among SCs, OBC, and other women has increased from NFHS-4 to NFHS-5. The government should frame new policies to improve the overall nutritional status of women of reproductive age and all socio-economic subgroups.