Knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescent school girls regarding prevention of iron deficiency anaemia

Authors

  • Venkata Prasad Upadrasta Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
  • Satyendra Nath Ponna Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
  • Hemalatha Bathina Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
  • Bharathi S. Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
  • Ashok Kumar Reddy Kapu Department of Community Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
  • Renuka Sadasivuni Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
  • Chandini Mitaigiri Department of Community Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph201923462394-6040.ijcmph20192346

Keywords:

Adolescent girls, Anaemia, Iron rich foods, Knowledge, Attitude and practices

Abstract

Background: Anaemia is very prevalent in adolescent girls, especially in developing countries like India. Treatment of anaemia based on the cause during adolescence decreases morbidity and mortality during early pregnancy. Despite weekly iron and folic acid supplementation programmes, the prevalence of anaemia among women and adolescent girls is still high. The objective of the study was to assess the proportion of anaemia and its determinants among adolescent school girls.

Methods: An observational study was conducted in adolescent school girls of Chandragiri from January to March, 2018. Demographic data, knowledge and practices of personal hygiene were collected. Nutritional status was assessed by collecting anthropometric, body composition measurements, dietary habits and haemoglobin was estimated.

Results: Of the 111 girls studied, 55.9% were found to be anaemic. Knowledge and practices of personal hygiene was lower in anaemic girls compared to non-anaemic girls. The extent of deficit of iron rich food consumption was low in both anaemic and non-anaemic girls.

Conclusions: Prevalence of mild anaemia was high and iron rich foods intake was low in our study subjects. Assessment of burden of anaemia among adolescent girls is essential to address gaps in implementation of public health programs and effective intervention programs can be designed to reduce the burden of anaemia.

Author Biographies

Venkata Prasad Upadrasta, Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Scientist 'C'

Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR)

Satyendra Nath Ponna, Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR), Chandragiri, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Scientist 'D'
Model Rural Health Research Unit (ICMR-DHR)

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Published

2019-05-27

How to Cite

Upadrasta, V. P., Ponna, S. N., Bathina, H., S., B., Kapu, A. K. R., Sadasivuni, R., & Mitaigiri, C. (2019). Knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescent school girls regarding prevention of iron deficiency anaemia. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 6(6), 2694–2699. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph201923462394-6040.ijcmph20192346

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Original Research Articles