Factors Influencing Anaemia among Girls of School Going Age (6-18 Years) from the Slums Of Ahmedabad City

Abstract

Research question: What is the prevalence of anaemia among school going girls and its relationship with various socio-demographic variables? Objective: To assess the magnitude of anaemia in school going pre-adolescent and adolescent girls along with associated demographic variables. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: 15 randomly selected urban slums of north zone of Ahmedabad city. Participants: 1295 randomly selected girls in the age group of 6-18 years. Study variables: Hemoglobin level age body mass index parents education parents occupation socio-economic status consumption of tea/coffee green leafy vegetables lemon/sour fruits knowledge about anaemia and status of menstruation. Statistical analysis: Multiple regression analysis chi-square test. Results: Prevalence of anaemia (Hb<l 2 gm/dl) was 81.8% (n=1153) and had significant association with variables such as occupation of father habit of post meal consumption of tea/coffee consumption of green leafy vegetables and body mass index. Conclusion: Prevalence of anaemia necessitates pragmatic intervention to improve the dietary intake nutritional supplement of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets. (authors)