Pritam Halder, Jaya Tiwari, Shivani Rathor, Saumyarup Pal, Spandana Mitra, Riya Biswas, Abin K Rajan, Manish Chandra Prabhakar and Anamika Soni
Introduction: Anemia is an important public health disorder. There is a significant chunk of India population residing under poor housing quality with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, which might lead to higher anemia prevalence. The objective was to determine the association with anemia with poor housing quality among older Indian adult population (>45 years as per residence.
Methods: This study analysed the nationally representative dataset of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI 2017–18, Wave-1). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression was conducted to show the association of anemia (outcome variable with poor housing quality (explanatory variable). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted adjusting for covariates as per there models. P value<0.05 was consider as statistically significant. SATA version 17 was used for analysis.
Results: Our study found that, higher adjusted odds of having anemia among older Indian adults were observed among participants with overcrowding (AOR 1.30, 95%CI 1.19-1.42), having access to open/ non-sanitary toilet facility (AOR 1.56, 95%CI 1.41-1.72), no electric supply (AOR 1.31, 95%CI 1.12-1.53 and overall poor housing quality (AOR 1.34, 95%CI 1.21-1.48). All of these association was even higher in urban areas except having access to open/ non-sanitary toilet facility which was much higher in rural areas (AOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.45-1.79).
Conclusion: Through a nationally representative large dataset, this study generated compelling evidence despite several obstacles indicating a positive association between anemia and poor housing quality among older Indian adults. It might raise awareness and assist individuals steer clear of the negative effects of overcrowding, using open/ non-sanitary toilet facility, lack of electric supply and overall housing quality on anemia status. It is advised to conduct additional research to determine temporality and causation.