Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anemia in the community as a hospital-based study and to assess the influence of co-factors by using basic screening tests in Pilar Health Center in Andaman Nicobar Islands.Material and methods: In three months, among the patients who were admitted, all patients with clinical suspicion of anemia and confirmed with hemoglobin estimation were included and investigated for malaria and leptospira as cause of anemia. The initial rapid diagnosis of malaria was confirmed with species identification by smear. Clinically suspected cases of leptospirosis were confirmed with IgM antibodies for leptospira. Intervention: For patients with anemia, dietary advice and parenteral therapy of Vitcofol injection and iron Dextran therapy were given. Chloroquine therapy was started followed by a dose of Primaquine for patients with malaria. The patients with leptospirosis were started on Crystalline Penicillin which was given six hourly for five days. Results: A total of 980 patients were admitted;120 patients (17%) were diagnosed with malaria. Severity of anemia as shown by Grade 3 was seen more in malaria cases than in control group. Odds ratio = 1.69 indicated a positive association between anemia and malaria. Severe anemia was seen in third decade, both in malaria and leptospira cases probably due to the mobility of adult patients and accessibility to Port Blair. 48.9% of the population examined was anemic, indicating extent of anemia in the population. Age and accessibility play a major role in anemia in malaria and leptospirosis and in their clinical outcome.

Key words: Anemia; Malaria; Leptospirosis; Andaman Islands.