Evaluation of efficacy of jaggery and raisins as supplements in iron deficiency anemia among medical undergraduate students in South India

Abstract

Results: After 8 weeks of daily supplementation ofjaggery and raisins, we observed that there was a significant rise in the mean hemoglobin (Hb) level to 11.79 ± 1.07 (P < 0.0001) and also a significant rise in the mean red blood cell count to 4.22 ± 0.30 (P < 0.0001) compared to baseline values. Secondary objective * To compare the mean change in the red cell indices (red blood cell [RBC] count, mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], and MCH concentration [MCHC]) from the baseline up to 8 weeks of intervention period. Students with medical history of current hematological disorders other than IDA (e.g. aplastic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, pernicious anemia, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia), thyroid dysfunction, chronic renal disease, menstrual irregularities, malabsorption syndrome, hypersensitivity to iron, or any of the components of the iron tablet and with history of prior intake of iron supplements 3 months before participating in the study were excluded from the study. The study was approved by the Scientific Research Committee and Institutional Ethics Committee of Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (IEC No: IEC/2017/11).