Factors influencing prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls of 12-15 years residing in government residential schools of Balanagar mandal, Mahabubnagar District Telangana

Abstract

Background: Adolescent girls are at high risk for anaemia and malnutrition. Anaemia, a manifestation of under - nutrition and poor dietary intake of iron is a serious public health problem, not only among pregnant women, infants and young children but also among adolescents. Inadequate nutrition during adolescence can have seriousconsequences throughout the reproductive years of life and beyond. Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls of age 12-15 years residing in government residential schools. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in Government residential schools of Balanagar mandai. 400 adolescent girls of age 12-15 years were the study subjects. Study subjects were interviewed using a pre-designed, pre-tested, semi structured proforma. Results: Prevalence of anaemia was 45.5% in study subjects with mean haemoglobin 10.42 ± 1.5090. Demographic characteristics like age, mothers education showed significant relationship with prevalence of anaemia (p<0.05).Lack of personal hygiene showed significant relation with presence of worm infestation (p < 0.05). Presence of parasitic infestation showed significant relation with prevalence of anaemia(p <0.05). Conclusion: Lack of personal hygiene, worm infestations were the major contributory factors for prevalence of anaemia.

Keywords

• adolescent girls. anaemia
• personal hygiene
• worm infestation