Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the micronutrient deficiencies and their impact on maternal health in Secunderabad. The sample of the study comprised 100 pregnant and lactating women as subjects selected randomly from Yashoda Hospital, KIMS Hospital, and Anganwadi Turkapally of Secunderabad district in Telangana state. The data were collected using a questionnaire which consisted of questions based on anthropometric measurements, nutritional knowledge, attitude and practices. The data were analyzed and percentage, mean and chi square test were applied. Less than 600 IU/d (international units per day) and less than 400 micrograms of folic acid per day were consumed by most lactating and pregnant women. The majority of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Secunderabad ingested insufficient amounts of Vitamin B12 (2.2-5.5 mcg/day) and Vitamin A (2,800–3,000 µg RAE/day) in their diets. Out of 100 pregnant and lactating women as subjects, it was found out that vitamin D deficiency (48%) was the most common micronutrient deficiency, followed by folic acid deficiency (47%), iron deficiency (42%) and vitamin A and B12 deficiencies (41%). Micronutrient deficiency does have significant impact on the health of pregnant and lactating women in Secunderabad. Vitamin D, folic acid, iron, vitamin A and B12 deficiencies were found to be more common in studies involving different age groups and nutritional status.
Keywords: – Micronutrient, Maternal health, Pregnant women, Folic acid, Iron .
Rashmi Singh1*, Preeti Sharma2, Nakuleshwar Dut Jasuja3
1Research Scholar, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur-303305, Raj., India
2Dean, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur-303305, Raj., India
3Professor, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Nirwan University, Jaipur-303305, Raj., India