- Visibility 424 Views
- Downloads 407 Downloads
- Permissions
- DOI 10.18231/j.ijcbr.v.12.i.2.7
-
CrossMark
The invisible burden: Investigating anaemia in apparently healthy males
- Author Details:
-
Dhiraj J Trivedi *
Dhiraj J Trivedi *
Introduction: The National Health Mission's “Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) 2008” initiative primarily focuses on addressing anaemia among females. Efforts are taken to exterminate anaemia but much efforts need to be put in. Anaemia is at high in females and male population is prejudice to be devoid of this condition however it is not so. Almost three males out of ten are anaemic.
Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the incidence of anaemia among 700 apparently healthy male industry workers in 18 and 59years age group.
Result: Among the 700 apparently healthy male industrial workers, 342 (48.86%) were anaemic. Based on concentration of Hb, 18.71% were classified as mildly anaemic, 22.29% as moderately anaemic and 7.86% as severely anaemic. Anaemia prevalence was notably higher among individuals belonging to low- and moderate-income groups, with an incidence rate of approximately 60%. Within the 462 participants who regularly consumed tea, coffee, or tobacco, 21.55% exhibited severe anaemia, while 17.93% were moderately anaemic. Furthermore, among the 154 alcohol consumers, 13% were severely anaemic, and 6% demonstrated moderate anaemia. These findings underscore the potential influence of lifestyle habits and socioeconomic factors on anaemia prevalence in male industrial workers, emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional interventions and awareness programs.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight that apparently healthy males are equally susceptible to anaemia, although not traditionally being considered a high-risk group. Several contributing factors, including occupational constraints, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices, appear to increase their vulnerability. Additionally, socioeconomic limitations, habitual consumption of tea, coffee, or tobacco, and poor sanitary practices further worsen the condition. These insights emphasize the need to expand public health initiatives, such as Anaemia Mukt Bharat, to comprehensively include males, ensuring a more equitable approach to anaemia prevention and management.
References
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat: National Health Mission (nhm.gov.in). https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=3&sublinkid=1448& lid=797
- Jeevan J, Karun KM, Puranik A, Deepa C, Lintu MK, Barvaliya M. Prevalence of anaemia in India: a systematic review, meta- analysis and geospatial analysis. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):1270.
- Facts-India-Prevalence-of-anaemia. https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/india/prevalence-of-anemia
- Kaur K. Anaemia ‘a silent killer’ among women in India: Present scenario. Eur J Zool Res. 2014;3(1):32–6.
- Gonmei Z, Toteja GS. Micronutrient status of Indian population. Indian J Med Res. 2018;148(5):511–21.
- Agarwal KN, Agarwal DK, Sharma A, Sharma K, Prasana K, Kavita MC, et al. Prevalence of anaemia in pregnant & lactating women in India. Indian J Med Res. 2006;124(2):173–84.
- Kapur D, Agarwal KN, Agarwal DK. Nutritional anaemia and its control. Ind J Pediatr. 2002;69(7):607–16
- Alvarez-UriaG, Naik PK, Midde M, Yalla PS, Pakam R. Prevalence and Severity of Anaemia Stratified by Age and Gender in Rural India. Anemia. 2014.
- Little M, Zivot C, Humphries S, Dodd W, Patel K, Dewey C. Burden and determinants of anaemia in a rural population in south India: A cross‐sectional study. Anemia. 2018;(1):7123976. 102 Trivedi / International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research 2025;12(2):98-102
- Singh A, Ram S, Singh S, Tripathi P. Prevalence and determinants of anaemia among men in rural India: Evidence from a nationally representative survey. PLOS Glob. Public Health. 2022;2:e0001159.
- WHO. Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2011 (http://www.who.int/vmnis/indicators/haemoglobin. pdf,
- Assessment of prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. NNMB Technical Report No. 22 nnmbindia.org › NNMB MND REPORT 2004-Web
- Ghosh S, Laxmaiah A, Chandak GR, Meshram II, Raman R, Sengupta S, et al. Anaemia and iron deficiency in India: a venous blood-based survey of adolescents, adults, and the elderly in eight states. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2025;79(5):443–51.
- Ashavaid TF, Todur SP, Dherai AJ. Health status of Indian population- current scenario. J Assn Phys India. 2004:52:363–9
- Kaur IP, Kaur S. A Comparison of Nutritional Profile and Prevalence of Anemia among Rural Girls and Boys. J Exe Sci Physiother. 2011:7(1):11–8
- Charan J, Biswas T. How to calculate sample size for different study designs in medical research? Indian J Psychol Med. 2013;35(2):121–6.
- Dacie JV, Lewis SM. Hemoglobin estimation. Practical hematology – chapter 5, Basic haematological techniques 7th edition, Churchill Livingstone London. 1991, p37-54
- National consultation on control of nutritional anemia in India. Department of Family Welfare (Maternal Health Division), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi, 1998.
- Seshadri S. A database on iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in India: prevalence, causes, consequences and strategies for prevention. Department of Foods and Nutrition. WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition Research. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, India, 1999.
- Beutler E, Waalen J. The definition of anemia: what is the lower limit of normal of the blood hemoglobin concentration? Blood. 2006:107(5):1747–50.
- Narsinga Rao BS. Iron content, bioavailability & factors affecting iron status of Indians. Indian J Med Res. 1978;58:58–69
- Disler PB, Lynch SR, Charlton RW, Torrance JD, Bothwell TH, Walker RB, et al. The effect of tea on iron absorption. Gut. 1975;16(3):193–200.
- Assessment of prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. NNMB Technical Report No. 22 nnmbindia.org › NNMB MND REPORT 2004-Web accessed on July 2018.
- Agrawal S, Misra R, Aggarwal A. Indian Council of Medical Research, Micronutrient Profile of Indian Population, New Delhi, 2004 [31]. Rheumatol Int. 2006:26(12):1091–5.
- Rao VG, Aggrawal MC, Yadav R, Das SK, Sahare LK, Bondley MK, et al. Intestinal Parasitic Infections, Anaemia and undernutrition among tribal adolescents of Madhya Pradesh. Indian J Comm Med. 2003;28(1):26–9.
- Chakma T, Rao PV, Tiwary RS. Prevalence of anaemia and worm infestation in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh. J Indian Med Assoc. 2000;98(9):567–71.
- Ashish G, Desh D, Naveen G. Study of relationship of tobacco smoking with hemoglobin concentration in healthy adults. J Pharm Biomed Sci. 2010;1(19):1–3
- Michelle M. Smoking & iron levels. 2015. http://www.livestrong.com/article/233579- smoking-and vitamin- absorption
- Mehta BC, Patel JC. Anemia in a population with low socio- economic status. Indian J Med Sci. 1969;23(7):349–60.
- Bonakdaran S, Gharebaghi M, Vahedian M. Prevalence of anemia in type 2 diabetes and role of renal involvement. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2011:22(2):286–90