Burden of Anemia and its potential predictors among Scheduled Tribe Pregnant Women in India

Abstract

The most recent round of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-5) and earlier rounds indicate that anaemia has significantly increased in India. This alarming finding may even be worse for scheduled tribe women. The present study examines the prevalence and predictors of anaemia among pregnant tribal women. This study used the data from NFHS-5 (2019–21). Bivariate and multivariate techniques have been used. While assessing access to health care and supplementation services, an additional analysis has been carried out considering women who have delivered their last child in the past four years. Findings suggest that anaemia is higher among pregnant tribal women than their counterparts (non-tribal pregnant women) for severe (2.3% vs 1.3%) and moderate anaemia (32% vs 25%) respectively.