Odisha Study Reveals Over 53% of PVTG Adult Women Anaemic Amid Rising Metabolic Risks

A study by Utkal University released on July 20, 2026, has found that more than half of adult women from Odisha's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are anaemic. The research, covering 10 of the state's 13 PVTG communities, surveyed 9,222 individuals from 2,041 households across seven tribal-dominated districts.

The study reports that 53% of adult women and 37% of adult men in these communities suffer from anaemia. Among men, the Mankidia (59.18%) and Bonda (56.30%) tribes showed the highest rates. The findings also indicate emerging metabolic risks, with elevated blood pressure and random sugar levels observed in some individuals.

“The growth, nutritional, and health profile of Odisha's PVTGs reflects a complex interplay of undernutrition, emerging lifestyle changes, increasing metabolic risks and persistent health inequities,” the study states. It highlights that the Lodha (47.32%) and Lanjia Saora (39.26%) men also show significantly increased anaemia levels, pointing to an urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions and improved healthcare access.

The study, released by Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, notes a high prevalence of stunting among female adolescents, with an overall rate of 50.74%. The Hill Kharia community recorded the highest stunting at 82.76%, followed by Paudi Bhuiyan at 72.73% and Juang at 53.49%. “These statistics point to an urgent need for targeted interventions focused on adolescent girls, including school-based nutrition programs, anaemia control measures, and reproductive health education,” the researchers said.

Chandi Prasad Nanda, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University, said the report provides evidence-based, field-rooted research that gives policymakers a clear picture of where PVTG communities stand. Prasanna Kumar Patra, Coordinator of the Centre of Excellence in Studies on Tribal and Marginalised Communities, noted that “anaemia in more than half of adult women, high childhood stunting, and a home-delivery rate of 59% tell us that basic maternal and nutritional care is still not reaching these communities consistently.”

Subhendu Kumar Acharya, a scientist at ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, emphasised the need for PVTG-specific and culturally sensitive development plans, stating that “a single, one-size-fits-all solution is not useful.”