Anemia in Reproductive Age Group Women Attending in General Health Check-up in the Tertiary Care Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Background: Anemia is common, particularly among women in Southeast Asia and other Asian countries. In reproductive-age women (15-49 years), increased demand without adequate supply often leads to deficiency. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia in this group. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital August 1st 2024 to October 20th 2024, following ethical approval. Exclusions included those with chronic diseases, incomplete data, heavy menstrual loss, or pregnancy complications. A convenience sampling method was used, yielding 372 participants. Data were recorded in MS Excel and analyzed in SPSS. Results: Our study of 372 participants (mean age 35.39 ± 8.73 years) found that 22.8% were women aged 40-44 years. BMI analysis showed 43% were overweight, and 34.1% had normal BMI. Blood group distribution was 27.4% A+ and 28.8% B+, with A- being the least common (0.3%). Most participants (75.3%) were from the Hill region, and 71.8% were unmarried. Anemia prevalence was 24.46%, highest in the 45-49 age groups and lowest in the 20-24 groups. Anemia was more common in the underweight (44.44%) and very obese (50%) groups and most prevalent among Terai region women (35.59%). Conclusion: The study found a significant prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age, with higher rates observed in specific age groups, BMI categories, and geographic regions. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to address anemia in vulnerable populations.