Iron Deficiency Anemia: A major public health challenge in Nepal

Iron Deficiency Anemia: A major public health challenge in Nepal | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Iron Deficiency Anemia: A major public health challenge in Nepal Mingmar Sherpa, Prince Rai, Drona Trital, Adipti Pantha, Nirmala Adhikari This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8633488/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background : Micronutrient deficiency undermines physical growth, immune function, maternal health, and cognitive development of children. Iron deficiency anemia has been one of the alarming health challenges around the world. In Nepal, mostly children, adolescents, and women of their reproductive age are the most vulnerable population. Methods : This review was conducted using a structured search strategy to identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence from the primary research articles, government reports, and authoritative public health resources. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar by using relevant keywords. Government data and statistics were collected from official websites. Results : In Nepal, the burden of anemia is highest among children under five and women of childbearing age. The prevalence of anemia among women living in the Terai ecological region is comparatively higher than women living in the Hilly and the Mountain ecological region in Nepal. Poor dietary habits and food insecurity have been the main reasons for the rising burden of anemia. Iron supplementation and fortification are some effective interventions. However, gaps persist in the effective implementation of policies, evidence-based interventions, and research targeting specific groups. Conclusion : Addressing the growing challenges of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia requires a formulation of strategic planning, including biomedical, agricultural, and policy-level interventions to achieve sustainable development in public health. Nutrition & Dietetics Health Policy Micronutrients Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) Hemoglobin Food fortification Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8633488","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":576388408,"identity":"5a6be7a4-dc02-4d6b-a82c-58d364474998","order_by":0,"name":"Mingmar 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Iron deficiency anemia has been one of the alarming health challenges around the world. In Nepal, mostly children, adolescents, and women of their reproductive age are the most vulnerable population.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods\u003c/strong\u003e: This review was conducted using a structured search strategy to identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence from the primary research articles, government reports, and authoritative public health resources. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar by using relevant keywords. Government data and statistics were collected from official websites.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e: In Nepal, the burden of anemia is highest among children under five and women of childbearing age. The prevalence of anemia among women living in the Terai ecological region is comparatively higher than women living in the Hilly and the Mountain ecological region in Nepal. Poor dietary habits and food insecurity have been the main reasons for the rising burden of anemia. Iron supplementation and fortification are some effective interventions. 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