Magnitude and Determinants of Anemia among the Elderly: A Rural–Urban Comparative, Cross-sectional Study in Bengaluru

A BSTRACT Background: Anemia in older adults is frequently overlooked but remains critically associated with impaired physical performance, cognitive decline, increased falls, and higher mortality rates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and identify its determinants among the elderly population in both rural and urban areas of Bengaluru. Methodology: A cross-sectional study involved 173 participants from the rural and urban field practice areas of a tertiary care hospital. Data on socio-demographics, medical history, and lifestyle factors were collected, and hemoglobin levels were measured using the Quick-Check Plus Hemoglobin Testing Systems. Statistical analysis utilized Chi-square tests for associations and independent samples t -tests to compare mean hemoglobin levels. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 53.8%. Rural participants exhibited a significantly lower mean hemoglobin level (10.02 ± 1.58 g/dL) compared to urban participants (11.39 ± 1.18 g/dL; P < 0.001). Significant associations were found between anemia and dyslipidemia ( P = 0.012), cardiac disease ( P = 0.021), history of blood loss ( P < 0.001), anticoagulant use ( P < 0.001), and BMI ( P = 0.032). Conclusion: Anemia is a major public health challenge among the elderly, with a higher prevalence in rural areas likely driven by nutritional gaps and limited healthcare access. Conversely, the higher frequency of moderate-to-severe cases in urban settings is linked to chronic comorbidities and iatrogenic factors such as anticoagulant use. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted geriatric interventions that address both nutritional deficiencies and the complexities of managing chronic clinical conditions.