A STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND FACTORS HINDERING THE UTILIZATION AMONG BENEFICIARIES OF ANEMIA MUKT BHARAT CAMPAIGN AT PUDUCHERRY

Background :  Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cell count lower than normal, insufficient hemogloblin levels. It is characterized by fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath. A study to assess the prevalence of anemia and factors hindering the utilization among Beneficiaries of Anemia Mukt Bharat Campaign at Puducherry.

Methods : Descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. Sample size 225. Data were assessed using theDemographic Variables, Anemia Assessment Proforma, Self -developed questionnaire for factors hindering the utilization of Anemia Mukt Bharat Campaign.

Results : The study findings revealed that 126(56%) had Mild, 92(40.9%) had Moderate and 7(3.1%) had Severe level of anemia. 126(56%) had Low level and 99(44%) had Moderate level of factors hindering the utilization. 125(55.6%) had [Highest]Lack of knowledge and 3(1.3%) had [Lowest] PoorEconomical Background of factors hindering the utilization among the beneficiaries of anemia Mukt Bharat Campaign. Association between the Factors hindering the utilization of anemia Mukt Bharat Campaign and demographic variable were tested by using chi square test like Educational statusX2= 7.43,P=0.05, Occupational statusX2= 8.94,P=0.03,Family incomeX2= 10.9,P=0.012,Intake of beveragesX2= 5.22,P=0.022 and Family history of any infectious diseaseX2= 6.87,P=0.032 had shown statistically significant with their selected demographic variables.

Conclusion : The result of this study showed that Prevalence of anaemia was very high among the study participants . It shows that anaemia is a major public health problem so efforts should be taken to reduce the prevalence of anemia and promote the health of an individual, community as well as the country.