Anaemia among adolescents: A community-based study using cluster sampling in villages under Sarjapur Primary Health Centre, Bangalore urban district

Abstract

Background: India has the largest adolescent population in the world, the majority of whom reside in rural areas. Anemia is one of the top five causes of morbidity among adolescents. Objective: To assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among adolescents aged 10–19 years residing in a rural area. Methods: Community-based, cross-sectional study in 25 villages and one town under Sarjapur Primary Health Centre (PHC), Bangalore Urban District. Two-staged cluster sampling was done. The interview schedule for sociodemographic details, diet, and physical activity was administered. Nutritional status was estimated by body mass index-for-age. Hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated using photometric analyzer. Chi-square test was done for the association between anemia (Hb Results: Of 210 adolescents, 48.1% had anemia, most were mild anemia. No significant association found between anemia and sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status or nutrition status, diet, and physical activity. None of the anemic adolescents were investigated or treated for anemia before. None of the subjects were aware of adolescent-friendly health services at the PHC. Conclusion: Nearly half of adolescents in this rural area were anemic. In addition to on-going Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation for the prevention of anemia and bi-annual deworming, there is a need for routine screening and treatment of anemia in schools, and follow-up of school drop-outs at household level by auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM). Community-level workers like Accredited Social Health Activist, ANM, and Anganwadi worker must create awareness regarding available adolescent services, treat anemia with iron and folic acid tablets and focus on counseling adolescents to promote healthy eating habits and iron-rich foods.