Srinagar, Dec 15: Recurring pregnancies, inadequate dietary habits and non-compliance with medications are the main reasons behind the increasing prevalence of anaemia among women in Jammu and Kashmir, according to doctors.
They added that anaemia remains a significant health concern in the region, serving as a root cause of various diseases.
Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), several doctors highlighted the inadequate intake of a balanced diet, with a preference for junk and fried foods over fruits and vegetables. Even when someone consumes fruits and vegetables, there is no proper eating schedule, they said.
Dr Rakshanda, a gynaecologist based in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, said that insufficient food intake and short intervals between childbirths contribute significantly to anaemia among women in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said contraceptive measures and a deficient diet lead to iron deficiency and are identified as key factors behind recurring births and anaemia. To combat anaemia, the doctor stressed the importance of adopting a nutritious diet and receiving proper counselling.
Dr Shugufta, another gynaecologist in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, said that iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies are primary causes of anaemia. Irregular schedules and excessive tea consumption hinder iron absorption, and conditions like celiac disease affect intestinal absorption, which contributes to the prevalence of anaemia, she said.
According to Dr Sabeena, a gynaecologist at SDH Bijbehara in the Anantnag district, anaemia is often observed during the reproductive age, particularly during pregnancy, due to a lack of awareness.
“Excessive menstruation between puberty and 19 years of age called puberty menorrhagia is not treated and it leads to anaemia and later various diseases,” she said.
Dr Sabeena emphasized the importance of nutrition-rich diets, green leafy vegetables, and the avoidance of fried and junk food, along with compliance with prescribed medications.
Doctors commended the role of Ashas under the Anemia Mukt Bharat programme and called for increased awareness in this regard.
They said anaemia can result in maternal mortality, diminished physical and mental capacity, increased morbidity from infectious diseases, prenatal mortality, premature delivery, low birth weight, and impaired cognitive performance in children.
Medical professionals clarified that iron deficiency is estimated to be responsible for approximately half of all global cases of anaemia, but other factors such as malaria, hookworms, nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, and genetic conditions can also contribute.
According to the ‘Women and Men in India 2022’ report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), 66 percent of women in Jammu and Kashmir are affected by anaemia, including 25 percent with mild anaemia, 38 percent with moderate anaemia, and 3 percent with severe anaemia.
The report also highlights an increase in the overall prevalence of anemia among women aged 15-49 from 48.9 percent in NFHS-4 to 65.9 percent in NFHS-5—(KNO)
