Prevalence of Anemia among Adolescent Girls (10-19 years) in Urban Slums of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

Abstract

Background: Adolescent represents a window of opportunity to prepare for a healthy adult life. Anemia is the most important nutritional deficiency during this period. Mild to moderate anemia usually appear in the early life and if proper intervention is given in adolescent age, majority of maternal and perinatal mortalities and morbidities can be prevented. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in slums where standard of living as well as the knowledge about anemia is very poor.  

Objectives: To find out the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls (10-19 years) residing in urban slums of Thiruvananthapuram corporation and to assess the knowledge about anemia among adolescent girls.  Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 150 adolescent girls of age 10 to 19 years in 10 randomly selected urban slums of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. According to WHO criteria anemia is found to exist in adolescent girls when hemoglobin value less than $12\text{g/dl}$. HemoCue method was used for hemoglobin estimation.  

Results: It was found that the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls was 48%. 76% had mild anemia, 21% had moderate and 3% had severe anemia. Adequate knowledge about anemia was there in 20.3% in 10 to 14 age group and 34.2% in the 15 to 19 age group. Significant association ($x^{2}=4.33$, $p<0.05$) was obtained between anemia and knowledge about anemia.  

Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls living in urban slums of Thiruvananthapuram city was found to be 48% and there is a significant association between prevalence of anemia and knowledge regarding anemia. The study shows anemia is a major public health problem among adolescent girls living in urban slums of Kerala, the south Indian state. Increasing awareness through health education programs, screening for disease and timely interventions like Iron and folic acid supplementation and de-worming at school levels may help in tackling this menace.