Journal of Research: THE BEDE ATHENÆUM
Year : 2010, Volume : 1, Issue : 1
First page : ( 45) Last page : ( 50)
Print ISSN : 0976-0598.

An Empirical study of the Impact of Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin C supplementation on the prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Non-pregnant Females of Shimla

Dewan Anjali

Department of Home Science, St. Bede's College, Shimla -171 002, Himachal Pradesh.

Received:  21  February,  2009; Accepted:  19  May,  2009.

Abstract

In India, the prevalence of Iron deficiency anaemia depending on age and sex has been reported to range from 38–72 percent. The majority of the population affected consists of women and children. The Iron Defeciency Anaemia (IDA) prevalence rate beyond the age of six years is higher in girls. Estimates suggest that about 25–50 per cent girls become anaemic by the time they reach menarche. Thus, in these adolescent girls, pregnancy only serves to aggravate their pre-existing anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is prevalent throughout the world because of the inefficient absorption of non-heme iron, which forms the bulk of the iron in the diet. Ascorbic acid reverses the effect of dietary inhibitors and is one of the most powerful known promoters of non-heme iron absorption. In view of the above facts, the present study was carried out to ascertain the impact of iron supplementation alone and with vitamin C on the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among the non-pregnant females of the age group 15–65 yrs.

Top