An Epidemiological Study of Anaemia and Its Associated Risk Factors Among Adolescent Girls in Rural Area of Katihar

Abstract

BACKGROUNDAnaemia is a serious public health concern in most developing countries and the prevalence of anaemia is quite high among adolescent girls. Adolescence is also a phase where a rapid upsurge is seen in growth and development which leads to increase requirement of nutrition especially high micronutrients requirement. Adolescent girls are vulnerable to iron deficiency and anaemia due to accelerated increase in requirements for iron, poor dietary intake of iron, prolonged menstrual period, and worm infestation. A study was conducted with the objective to determine the associated risk factors of anaemia among adolescent girls. METHODSA cross-section study was conducted among 202 adolescent girls in rural area of Katihar. Information was collected on a predesigned and pretested proforma about contributory factors in relation to anaemia, by oral questionnaire method. Sahli's haemoglobinometer was used for the haemoglobin estimation. RESULTSPrevalence of anaemia and severity of anaemia was found to be high in the age group 17 to 19. Prevalence of anaemia was significantly high (80%) in the adolescent girls who already attained menarche. A statistically significant relation exists between family size and anaemia. Percentage of anaemia was high among labour class (85%) than business class (61.7%). Prevalence of anaemia was to be found high in vegetarian (78.13%) than non-vegetarian (75.29%). CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that the anaemia was to be found more prevalent in higher age group, vegetarian group, and girls who had already attained menarche. This may be because of repeated menstrual blood loss with each cycle and use of low bioavailability iron.