A study to find out the Prevalence of Anemia and compare Dietary practices and taboos among Anemic and Non Anemic Antenatal Mother attending OPD’S at selected Hospitals, Kolar in a view to develop an information Booklet

Abstract

Anemia during pregnancy remains a major public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income regions. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of anemia and to compare dietary practices and food taboos among anemic and non-anemic antenatal mothers attending OPDs at selected hospitals in Kolar. A total of 100 antenatal mothers participated, and data were collected using structured questionnaires along with hemoglobin estimation to identify anemia status. The findings revealed that dietary diversity was poor among both groups, with non-anemic mothers showing relatively better practices in consuming iron, folic acid, and vitamin-rich foods, snacking frequency, and intake of animal-source foods. Cultural food taboos significantly influenced food choices, leading to the avoidance of several nutrient-rich foods essential during pregnancy, with a stronger impact on anemic mothers. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive nutrition education and counseling to address food taboos, improve dietary practices, and reduce anemia among antenatal mothers to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes.