Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia among Adolescent Girls: A School-Based Survey in Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Anemia is the most common and inflexible nutritional problem affecting about 2 billion of the world’s population with a significant impact on human health and social and economic development. Information about anemia prevalence and associated factors among adolescent girls in Indonesia is still limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine determinant factors related to anemia among adolescent girls. METHODE: This is an analytic study with a cross-sectional design, located in three regencies in Central Java Indonesia. This is a school-based survey in several senior high schools in three regencies that have a higher number of stunting cases, as a related indicator of Anemia. A total of 388 adolescent girls have participated in this study. Anemic status was assessed using HB quick-check. Independent variables such as breakfast habit, father’s height, allowance per day, etc. were collected by a structured questionnaire. Data analysis is carried out by univariate, bivariate, and multivariate. Ethical clearance has been approved by Medicine Faculty Ethics Committee, Jenderal Soedirman University. RESULT: The study found that 26,3% of girls were categorized as having anemia. Results showed that there was a correlation between anemic and breakfast habit (p = 0.07), and allowance per day (p = 0.08), and father’s height (p = 0.01) among adolescent girls. CONCLUSION: This research highlighted the importance for the adolescent girl of having daily breakfast. Good eating habits can help to reduce the incidence of anemia and its negative adverse health effects.