ANAEMIA AMONG WORKING WOMEN WITH DIFFERENT JOB RANKINGS; PREVALENCE, LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION, TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

Introduction: IDA majorly depresses everyday activities. IDA among working
women in India remains underexplored.
Methodology: A prospective interventional study was performed in working
women with 4 different job rankings (teaching staff to gardeners and peons).
After ethical clearance, detailed history for symptoms and signs, haemoglobin
was estimated using cyanmethhaemoglobin method to classify as normal, mild,
moderate and severely anaemic. Active management was done by lifestylemodifications, deworming with Tab. Albendazole and oral iron-therapy based
on WHO guidelines. Haemoglobin was re-estimated after 1 month of treatment.
Results: Moderate degree of anaemia was seen in all categories of working
women with no correlation to symptoms. Only category D patients
(housekeeping/security/gardening) showed correlation but could not initiate
therapy due to financial crises. 50% of subject in all categories followed
suggested life style changes and take medications. This was mainly due to lack
of time management. Reporting for follow-up Hb was 33% except Category A
(Teaching faculty-47% reported). This was mainly due to fear of figure prick.
Conclusion: Working women multi-task ignoring their own health. Assessment
of anaemia among these women can show the cause of lack of enthusiasm and
concentration for everyday routine. Also approach to treatment should be
directed towards the reasons of non-compliance.