Study of adherence and effect of iron and folic acid supplement on haemoglobin level among adolescent girls in rural area

Abstract

INTRODUCTION In India the proportion of population with anaemia is 74.3%. India is home to nearly 113 million adolescent girls between the ages of 11 and 18 years, and 90% of them (i.e. 104 million girls) live in the 15 largest states of the country. The National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) data suggests that anaemia among adolescent girls (15-19 years) is 56 percent. 1 A multi-centric study by the Indian Council of Medical Research showed that over 90% of adolescent girls throughout the country had some kind of anaemia. These findings were corroborated by a district level household survey in 2002-2004 showing that only 5% of adolescent girls did not have any kind of anaemia and a large proportion were suffering from severe anaemia. 2 Anaemia is a major health problem in Maharashtra, India especially among women and children. About half (48%) of women in Maharashtra are anaemic, including 33 percent with mild anaemia, 14 percent with moderate anaemia, and 2 percent with severe anaemia. 3 The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls and to study the adherence & the effect of iron and folic acid ABSTRACT Background: The NFHS-3 data suggests that anaemia among adolescent Indian girls (15-19 years) is 56%. The control of anaemia in adolescent girls can be more easily achieved if a satisfactory iron status can be ensured in this important phase of life. This study estimated the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls, their adherence and compliance to IFA and studied effect of IFA supplementation on haemoglobin level of adolescent girls. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 378 adolescent girls during June 2012 to May 2013 by house to house survey. All the relevant information was collected in predesigned proforma. The clinical examination, anthropometric examination and by Sahli's haemoglobin meter, estimation of haemoglobin were done. Participants were given iron and folic supplementation for 45 days at the time of home visit and subsequently for another 45 days. Adherence to IFA was assessed through pill count.