Effect of Multigrain Supplement on Improving Haemoglobin Level among Anemic Pregnant Women of Below Poverty Line

Abstract

Anemia during pregnancy is a global public health challenge facing the world today. It is one of the potentially lethal complications of pregnancy leading to large number of maternal and foetal losses but it is preventable and curable. The study was aimed to screen and identify the pregnant women of first trimester (10-12 weeks) who are having iron deficiency anemia and to evaluate the effectiveness of multigrain supplement (malt powder) among the pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia in improving the level of haemoglobin. This descriptive study was conducted among pregnant women of age group (18-30 years) residing in rural place Kanamadagu of Kudligi taluk. Sixety of them were randomly selected based on Haemoglobin (Hb) level <10 gm/dL and interviewed with help of self-structured questionnaire tool. Collected data was analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics. The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be 99.5% and about three fourth of subjects were falling within the mild (10-11 gm/dL) category of anemia. Most significant raise in Hb level found to be in 4^th week compared to intermediated weeks of malt consumption. Use of multigrain supplement was found to be the most effective way to overcome anemia i.e. from mild to normal range Hb level.