Postpartum anemia in India within 6 months of delivery: Prevalence, socioeconomic inequalities, and regional disparities: A secondary analysis of NFHS-5 (Fifth National Family Health Survey, 2019-2021).

Authors

Rajeswari Ramachandran, Muthulakshmi Chellaswamy, Jeyagowri Subash, Balachandiran Manoharan

Published in

International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. Jul 18, 2026. Epub Jul 18, 2026.

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence and severity of postpartum anemia among Indian women within 6 months of delivery and identify associated socioeconomic, healthcare, and geographic factors.
This cross-sectional secondary analysis used data from NFHS-5 (Fifth National Family Health Survey, 2019-2021). Women aged 15 to 49 years who had a live birth within 6 months before the survey, were not pregnant at interview, and had hemoglobin measurements were included. Postpartum anemia was defined as hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL. Survey-weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and associated factors were examined using survey-weighted Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Among 24 700 postpartum women, the prevalence of postpartum anemia was 34.7%. Mild, moderate, and severe anemia affected 19.1%, 14.7%, and 0.9% of women, respectively. Prevalence declined from 38.1% during the first 2 months postpartum to 31.3% at 5 to 6 months. Higher prevalence was observed among women with no education (aPR 1.25 [95% CI, 1.13-1.39]), those in the poorest wealth quintile (aPR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.06-1.35]), Scheduled Tribe women (aPR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.11-1.31]), underweight women (aPR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.05-1.17]), and women who delivered at home (aPR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.08-1.22]). Geographic disparities were evident, with higher prevalence in eastern, northeastern, and central India.
One in three Indian women experiences postpartum anemia within 6 months of childbirth. Strengthening postpartum screening, nutrition support, and targeted maternal health interventions may reduce disparities and improve maternal health outcomes.

PMID:
42470224
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 18 Jul 2026.

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