Project Rakta-Shakti: Anemia Screening & Data Profiling for Rural Women.

Academic Research Title: "A Cross-Sectional Data Analysis of Hemoglobin Levels and Nutritional Determinants Among Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Bihar."

Location: Rural Bihar Target District: Muzaffarpur

Target Group: Women of Reproductive Age 15–49 years

Duration: 4 Weeks

1. Executive Summary

Project Rakta-Shakti (“Blood Power”) is a targeted health intervention initiative designed to address the silent epidemic of Anemia in rural Bihar. According to NFHS-5 data, over 60% of women in Bihar are anemic. This project moves beyond simple awareness; it utilizes quantitative diagnostics to measure Hemoglobin (Hb) levels and employs data analysis to correlate these levels with socio-economic and dietary factors. The goal is to screen 200 women within a budget of ₹20,000, identifying high-risk individuals and creating a database to guide future health interventions.

2. Problem Statement

In the village areas of Bihar, fatigue and weakness in women are often dismissed as "normal." There is a severe lack of diagnostic data. Without knowing their actual Hemoglobin levels, women do not seek medical help.

• The Gap: Primary Health Centers (PHCs) are often distant.

• The Need: Doorstep screening and a data-driven understanding of why specific demographics are suffering more than others.

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3. Objectives

1. Diagnostic: To screen 200 women for Anemia using digital hemoglobinometers.

2. Analytical: To collect data on diet, hygiene, and menstrual health to find correlations with low Hb levels.

3. Actionable: To provide immediate referral cards to women with severe anemia (<7 g/dL) for urgent hospital care.

4. Methodology & Data Analysis

Phase 1: The Survey (Data Collection)

We will use a structured questionnaire to collect the following variables:

• Independent Variables: Age, BMI (calculated via height/weight), Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian diet, Menstrual flow intensity, Number of children.

• Dependent Variable: Hemoglobin Level (g/dL).

Phase 2: The Screening (Field Work)

• Equipment: Portable Digital Hemoglobinometer (Prick Test) & Sterile Lancets.

• Process: A localized camp in the village community hall or Panchayat Bhawan.

• Safety: Strict adherence to hygiene (gloves, alcohol swabs, safe disposal of sharps).

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Phase 3: The Analysis (The Science)

Using basic statistical tools (Excel/SPSS), we will generate a report focusing on:

1. Prevalence Rate: Percentage of Mild vs. Moderate vs. Severe Anemia.

2. Correlation Analysis: Does a vegetarian diet correlate with lower Hb in this specific village?

3. Risk Profiling: Are women with >3 children significantly more anemic?

5. Budget Breakdown

This budget is designed for high efficiency.

Component	Description	Cost (INR)
Diagnostic Kit	1 Digital Hemoglobinometer (One-time asset)	₹3,500
Consumables	200 Testing Strips, Lancets, Swabs, Gloves	₹8,000
Logistics	Travel to Village (Fuel/Auto) for team	₹2,500
Nutrition Support	Jaggery & Gram (Gud-Chana) packets for participants	₹3,000
Documentation	Printing Survey Forms, Banners, Report	₹1,500
Contingency	Emergency fund / Volunteer Refreshments	₹1,500
TOTAL		₹20,000

6. Expected Outcomes (Impact)

Social Impact

• 200 Women will know their exact blood count, many for the first time.

• Immediate identification of "Red Alert" cases (Hb < 7), potentially saving lives through timely referral.

• Distribution of iron-rich "Gud-Chana" (Jaggery-Chickpea) as a behavioral nudge towards better nutrition.

Data Impact (Deliverable)

A Final Research Report containing:

• Heatmap of Anemia in the village.

• Charts showing Age-wise distribution of Anemia.

• Recommendations for local ASHA workers based on the data.

7. Conclusion

Project Rakta-Shakti is not just a medical camp; it is a data-mining exercise for public health. By effectively utilizing ₹20,000, we aim to demonstrate that low-cost, high-tech interventions can provide a clear roadmap for improving maternal and child health in Bihar.

Action Plan Timeline (4 Weeks)

• Week 1: Procurement of Kit & Printing of Survey Forms.

• Week 2: Field Camp (Screening 200 women).

• Week 3: Data Entry and Analysis.

• Week 4: Report Submission and Sharing findings with local Sarpanch/Mukhiya.