Title: Prevalence and cause of anemia in the tribal population of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve forest, Western Ghats, Kerala, India
Authors: Abhijith Mohan Rajamohan, Abid Ali Khan, Amal Sebastian, Ahamed Sidheek H., Karankara Malavika Menon, Dr Anish T.S
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i6.136
Abstract
Purpose: To study the hematological profile of the tribal population in the foothills of Agasthyamala and the prevalence of anemia in the study population
Design: Cross sectional study
Materials and Methodology: The study covered covered the Tribal people of tribal sect ‘Kani’. Sample size was 72. Blood collection was done and peripheral smears were prepared. Blood was analyzed using hematological analyzer. Structured questionnaire used to analyze socio-demographic factors. The data (blood parameters- WBC count, Lymphocytes, Granulocytes, RBC count, DC, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet count, MPV, PDW, PCT) received from the hematology analyzer were then compared with standard values to check for any hematological derangements. The sera of the patients with abnormalities in peripheral smears were tested for Serum ferritin, Serum Vitamin B12 and Serum LDH.
Results: Of 72 cases studied, the prevalence of anemia (according to hemoglobin concentration levels specified by WHO) is 39.4%. Significant difference was noted between hemoglobin concentration of males and females. (p=0.02). The mean hemoglobin concentration in males is 13.01(SD=1.95) while in females is 12.11(SD= 1.75). The mean hemoglobin in children is 11.14(SD=1.19).The hematological profile showed lower than normal MCV and MCH values in 11 (15.28%) cases and 9 (12.5%) of these were confirmed to be Iron Deficiency Anemia. 6 cases (8.33%) had higher than normal MCV value and all of them (8.33%) were confirmed to be megaloblastic anemia. 2 (2.78%) of the cases of Megaloblastic anemia were due to Vitamin B12 deficiency. No cases of hemolytic anemia found.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in the tribal population was comparable to the general population of Kerala. Females had higher prevalence as expected. No severe cases of anemia were present. The higher proportion of nutritional anemia shows that a nutritional intervention can bring about a major change.
Keywords: Anemia, Tribal Population, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Megaloblastic Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia.
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