A Cross-sectional Study on Prevalence and Determinants of Preconception Anemia in Women of Reproductive Age Group at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

Introduction : Nutritional anemia is a major public health issue that affects women of all ages, notably those of reproductive age (15-49 years). Anemia has an adverse effect on the outcome of pregnancy including miscarriage, intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, post-partum hemorrhages and stillbirth. Objectives: It is to estimate prevalence of anemia and to investigate socio-demographic and obstetric factors associated with the prevalence of anemia during preconception period. Method: We conducted a cross- sectional study among 306 reproductive age group (15-49 years) women who were residing in field practice area of Urban Health Training Center (UHTC) in sector-24, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India who are planning to conceive within a year. Study participants were selected from the records of the female health worker according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. Results: Out of 306 participant women, 76% were found to be anemic, out of which, 31% had mild, 55% had moderate and 14% had severe level of anemia. Education level significantly associated (P < 0.05) with presence of anemia as women with lower level of education had higher presence of anemia – 81.97% in primary education group and 79.17% among illiterate women. BMI, parity and family type was also found to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the severity of anemia. Conclusion: Nearly three fourth Women who planned to conceive within a year had anemia. Out of women who had anemia, nearly three fourth had moderate to severe anemia. Education had significant association with presence of anemia and low BMI, Parity and type of family had significant association with severity of anemia.

In-vivo and in-vitro screening of medicinal plants for their anti-inflammatory activity: an overview.

Despite the progress made in medical research for the past decades, the treatment of many serious diseases is still problematic. Inflammation is the response of living tissues to injury. It involves a complex array of enzyme activation, mediator release, extravasations of fluid, cell migration, tissue breakdown and repair. Inflammation has become the focus of global scientific research because of its implication in virtually all human and animal diseases. As a result of adverse effects such as gastric lesions caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), tolerance and dependence induced by opiates, the use of these drugs as antiinflammatory agents have not been successful in all cases. Therefore, new anti-inflammatory drugs lacking these side effects are being researched as alternatives to NSAID and opiates. Attention is being focused on the investigation of the efficacy of plant-based drugs used in the traditional medicine because they are cheap, have little side effects. Hence, in the present review the various animal models used for preclinical screening anti-inflammatory activity herbs was compiled.