ANTHROPOMETRY AND BLOOD HAEMOGLOBIN STATUS OF WOMEN IN MAKWANPUR DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

BackgroundThe nutritional situation of women in Nepal remains precarious. Low energy, protein andmicronutrient intakes contribute to high levels of stunting and anaemia throughout thelife cycle. This suboptimal nutritional status contributes to high prevalences of low birthweight and death in early infancy. As background information for an ongoing study ofperinatal health interventions in 24 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of MakwanpurDistrict, a descriptive study of nutritional status and anaemia in a sample of women wascarried out.ObjectivesTo measure weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and blood haemoglobinin non-pregnant married women of reproductive age.MethodsParticipants aged between 15 and 49 years were recruited at 12 sites in five VDCs. Personaldetails were collected in each case, after which height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference(MUAC) and blood haemoglobin level were measured.ResultsResults are available for 500 women. Mean height was 149.9 cm (95% confidence intervalfor mean 149.5 – 150.4 cm); mean weight was 45.5 kg (95% CI 44.9 - 46.1 kg); mean BodyMass Index (BMI) was 20.2 kg/m2(95% CI 20.0 – 20.4 kg/m2); mean MUAC was 23.47 cm(95% CI 23.2 – 23.7 cm). Overall, 27.8% (95% CI 24.1 – 32.2%) of women showed evidenceof Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) on the basis of BMI, and 51.5% (95% CI 47.0 –56.0%) on the basis of MUAC. There were no significant differences in BMI or MUACbetween either ethnic or age groups. 35.3% of women were anaemic (95% CI 31.1 – 39.7%),one percent severely so. There were no significant differences in prevalence between ethnicgroups, but there was some evidence of an increase in anaemia prevalence with age.ConclusionsCED and anaemia appear common in Makwanpur District. As part of a package to improvenewborn infant outcome, access to and uptake of haematinics during pregnancy should bebeneficial. Community level intervention needs to attempt to address the issue of foodintake in young girls and women before improvements in nutritional status are possibleKey Words: Anaemia, anthropometry, nutritional status, Nepal.