Effectiveness of long term community based nutrition intervention for prevention and management of anaemia among adolescent girls

Abstract

High prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls is a matter of great concern because of double demand of growth and activity. Therefore, the present study was conducted among 200 unmarried adolescent girls(10-18 yrs) with an objective to assess the prevalence of anemia and to improve the dietary behavior and reduce iron deficiency anaemia through nutrition intervention. The effectiveness of nutrition intervention was evaluated through various parameters viz. Body Mass Index (BMI), haemoglobin (Hb) level, food frequency and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) scores. Nutrition intervention was imparted to the subjects for a period of one year. Consequently, the average Hb level of the subjects increased significantly (p£0.01) from 8.55 to 10.66 g/dl. A significant (p£0.01) increase in BMI i.e. 17.7 to18.8 Kg/m2 was also found in the selected subjects. Further, Nutrition education also showed a significant improvement (p £0.01) in the food frequency of the entire Hb forming food items as well as KAP scores among adolescent girls.