Prevalence of anaemia and factors influencing anaemia among school going adolscents in urban and rural area of a North Karnataka: A comparitive study

Abstract

Adolescents are defined as the age group between 10-19 years according to WHO.During adolescence; anaemia is prevalent in both girls and boys indicating that they need higher nutritional requirement for their rapid physical, mental growth and development. To estimate the prevalence of anaemia and its associated factors among rural and urban school going adolescents in North Karnataka. An observational study was conducted among the school going adolescents (10-19 years) studying in Government schools in rural and urban field practice area. All the Government schools were included in sampling frame and students were selected using simple random sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory test were done. Haemoglobin estimation using Sahli’s method. Data was entered in MS Excel and analysed using SPSS v22. Statistical measures used were percentage, chi square test as test of significance and was evaluated at 95% confidence level (p <0.05). Total prevalence of anaemia among adolescents was 80.28%, more in rural adolescents (88.88%) compared to urban (71.67%). Maximum prevalence was of moderate anaemia 193 (53.61%) more in rural 63.89% compared to urban area 43.33%. Maximum prevalence was of moderate anaemia in both the areas which was more in girls compared to boys.