Knowledge and practices on anaemia among women of reproductive age in India

Anaemia is a major public health challenge in India, with NFHS-5 reporting over 57% prevalence among reproductive-age women. Therefore, it is of interest to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding anaemia among 1,460 women from six Indian states using a structured FOGSI questionnaire. While most participants recognized anaemia as a blood deficiency, misconceptions about its causes, symptoms and prevention persisted. Although 79.8% supported iron supplementation, only 29.5% reported regular treatment practices and awareness of dietary and micronutrient factors remained low. Comprehensive community-based education beyond iron tablets is crucial to bridge the knowledge-practice gap and reduce anaemia burden.