Title : Prevalance of anemia in adolscent girls in tribal areas of Kerala: Sociodemographic factors associated with anemia
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem:
Anemia is the most common nutritional disorder worldwide. In India the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls were 56%. Nutritional needs of girls during adolescent period are generally ignored leading to stunting and poor health. One of the major consequences of the physiological changes and the nutritional neglect which happens during this period is anemia. Our study population is adolescent girls and the purpose of the study is by decreasing anemia and improving awareness regarding anemia among adolescent girls. Hence, this study was carried out to find out the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among school going adolescent girls in tribal area, Kerala.
Methodology & theoretical orientation:
The experimental procedure followed for the study, Collection of data: A structured questionnaire, an anthropometric measurement for thinness and stunting, standard Dietary diversity Score (DDS)questionnaire from FAO 2010, knowledge related to anemia were used to collect the data and Hb Estimation using EDTA TUBE by a trained technician from the government hospital in Vazhikkadavu panchayath. Then, reading was classified as normal and anemic based on WHO recommended cut off points. Findings: 18.8% were mildly and 37.5% were anemic. Prevalence of anemia was higher among those who used a greater number of pads, as it indirectly indicates increased amount of blood loss during menstruation. (43.6%) girls had a high dietary diversity score and (36.9%) adolescent girls who had medium dietary diversity scores, and the rest respondents had low DDS. Conclusion of this study is that prevalence of anemia was a public health problem. Factors associated with anemia were low wealth status, adolescent girls living separately from their parents, low dietary diversity score, and duration of menses greater than 5 days. It was seen that anemia affect overall nutritional status of adolescent girls.
