From awareness to action: Millet-based recipe talks improve iron status and reduce anemia severity in Andhra Pradesh women.

چکیده اصلی

BACKGROUND: Millets are nutrient-rich, ability to thrive in challenging climate were integral to traditional Indian diets. However, their intake has reduced in diet. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anemia among women in Andhra Pradesh and to determine the association between millet-based local recipe talk in the mother's kitchen and maternal anemia. METHODS: A community-based cohort study enrolled 345 mothers across three regions of Andhra Pradesh, India, in 2024-2025. Baseline data included sociodemographic characteristics, 24-hour dietary recalls (3 nonconsecutive days), anthropometry, and hemoglobin estimation of mothers. A 12-week intervention delivered weekly millet recipe talks in mothers' kitchens/Anganwadi centers, with hands-on cooking using nine millets and two pseudo millets. Endline assessments of 24-hour dietary recalls (3 nonconsecutive days), anthropometry, and hemoglobin estimation in mothers were conducted. RESULTS: Most mothers were predominantly aged 21-30 years. Tribal groups had higher rates of early marriage (under 18 years), reaching 18 (32.73%) in Uttar Andhra. Most mothers were housewives, and husbands were daily laborers. Rural participants had a medium standard of living, 159 (88.33%), whereas tribal participants had a low standard of living 41 (74.55%) in Coastal Andhra. Anemia was present among 266 (77.1%) mothers at baseline, with higher maternal/husband education linked to lower risk (P = 0.014, P = 0.047). Postintervention, mean daily intake increased significantly for protein (P = 0.009), energy (P = 0.007), calcium (P < 0.001), and iron (P < 0.001). Among the 265 mothers with anemia at baseline, excluding attrition, the prevalence of anemia decreased to 239 (90.2%) with P =<0.001. Severe anemia cases fell from 10 to 4 (P = 0.007), moderate from 46.9% to 34.2% (P < 0.001), and mild anemia also decreased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Culturally tailored, hands-on millet recipe interventions significantly enhance nutrient intake and reduce anemia severity. Scaling such community-led approaches through Anganwadi networks offers a sustainable strategy to combat maternal anemia.

متن کامل اصلی