| Abstract: |
Anemia remains a critical public health concern affecting women of reproductive age in India, with iron deficiency being the primary etiological factor. This retrospective study examines temporal trends, clinical outcomes, and comparative effectiveness of various iron salts used in managing anemia among Indian women aged 15-49 years. Analysis of National Family Health Survey data reveals concerning increase in anemia prevalence from 53% in 2015-16 to 57% in 2019-21, affecting approximately 315 million women nationally. Comparative assessment of ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous ascorbate demonstrates variable therapeutic efficacy with mean hemoglobin improvements ranging 0.6-1.5 g/dL across different formulations. Ferrous ascorbate exhibited superior gastrointestinal tolerability while ferrous fumarate showed higher elemental iron content. Clinical outcomes indicate significant hemoglobin response rates with iron supplementation programs achieving 16.2% improvement in normalization rates. Sociodemographic factors including education, wealth quintile, rural residence, and dietary patterns significantly influence treatment outcomes. These findings underscore urgent need for targeted interventions and optimized iron supplementation strategies to address escalating anemia burden. |
