Leh: With 94 percent of the population having a prevalence of Anemia in Ladakh, the Union Territory is on the top of the list in the country.
“94% of Ladakh population having prevalence of Anemia which is highest in Country,” reveals the findingsof fifth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21)
As per the findings of NFHS-5, 2019-21, an increasing number of people across all population groups, including children below five years, adolescent girls and boys, and pregnant women, is being affected by anaemia.
Other UTs with high anaemia prevalence included Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (76 per cent), and Jammu & Kashmir (73 per cent).
According to the survey report, at least 67 per cent children in the country (6-59 months) have anaemia as compared to 58.6 per cent in the last survey conducted in 2015-16. Among adults, 57 per cent of women and 25 percent of men (in the 15-49 group) have anaemia, the report stated. Anaemia is a condition that is marked by low levels of haemoglobin in the blood. Among women, its prevalence has increased from 53 percent in 2015-16 to 57 per cent in 2019-21. In men, it has increased from 23 per cent to 25 per cent.
Overall, 67 per cent of children were found with some degree of anaemia (haemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dl grams per decilitre). Twenty nine per cent of children had mild anaemia, 36 per cent had moderate anaemia, and 2 per cent had severe anaemia.
Anaemia was found to be more prevalent among children under 35 months as compared to older children, with a peak prevalence of 80 per cent observed among children age 12-17 months.
The prevalence of anaemia among children age 6-59 months was found highest among children in Gujarat (80 per cent), followed by Madhya Pradesh (73 per cent), Rajasthan (72 per cent), and Punjab (71 per cent).
