Urban-Rural Disparities In Anemia Prevalence Among Primary School Children. A Study Of Bulandshahr District In Context Of Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Abstract

Background:Anemiais a persistent public health challenge among school-aged children in India, with rural populations disproportionately affected. Despite national interventions such as the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme, Anemia prevalence remains high, especially in economically and socially disadvantaged regions.

Objective:This paper discusses urban rural inequalities in the prevalence of Anemiain primary school children of Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. It assesses the effects of the MDM Scheme on the nutritional outcomes and establishes the relationships with such variables as gender and age.

Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional research was carried out on groups of 600 children (300 urban and 300 rural) aged 6 to 12 years in government and government-aided schools in four MDM Scheme districts. The structured questionnaires, anthropometric measures and hemoglobin estimation with the help of the HemoCue Hb 301 analyzer were used to collect data. Anemiawas classified according to the WHO standards. Associations were tested with statistical analysis, which included chi-square tests (p < 0.05).

Results:There was a lot of prevalence of Anemiain rural areas than in urban areas. Moderate to severe Anemiawas higher among female pupils in addition to older children ( 11-12 years). The three hypotheses explained by urban-rub rural difference (H1), gender disparity (H2) and age association (H3) all had statistically significant results.

Conclusion:Though MDM Scheme has been implemented there still exists Anemiaprevalence rate especially in rural and female children. These observations reveal the necessity of regional policy improvements, such as an increased level of nutritional fortification, surveillance, and health care integration within schools and more particularly in rural conditions.