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Abstract

Background: Anemia is a condition characterized by reduction in the number of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. Anemia is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries and has major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. Objectives: To study the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of anemia among Adolescent (13-19 years) girl students Methodology: The present study cross sectional study was conducted among 200 adolescents (13-19 years) girls studying 8std-12std in government school Raichur. The data collected was entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using epi-info software and SPSS trial version 17. Results: Mild anemia (Hb 11-11.9gram percent) was present in 8 (16%) girls, moderate anemia (Hb 7-10.9 gram percent) in 37 (74%) girls and severe anemia (Hb < 7 gram percent) in 5 (10%) girls. About 116(58%) were between 17-19 years of them 28 (24.2%) had anemia. There was association between anemia and socioeconomic status, anemia and type of family in our study. 32% had illiterate father compared to 68% literate father with p value 0.034 (which is not statically significant), but majority of them i.e 84% had illiterate mother and only 16% had literate mother. Conclusion: Anemia prevalence is noted in our study as 25% with moderate anemia as 74%. Microcytic hypochromic anemia 60% was noted followed by normocytic normochromic 30%, macrocytic normochromic 10%. High risk factors were students belonging to low socioeconomic groups.