Self assessed symptoms and risk factors of anemia in urban school going adolescent girls

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia prevalence is very high in adolescent girls. Anemia detection is not done adequately due to non specific symptoms. Risk factors for anemia have been identified and taken care of but still the prevalence rate remains same. Methods: A questionnaire based study was conducted at urban school in Kolhapur city in adolescent girls. The questionnaire was filled by the students themselves to find out the symptoms suggestive of anemia. Hemoglobin estimation was done by finger prick method. Results: 81 girls gave consent to the study. The anemia was present in 70.3% girls, 23% of the girls had severe anemia. There was no association between symptoms (breathlessness, anorexia, and weakness, lack of concentration, palpitation, giddiness, nails, and edema) and anemia. There was no association between risk factors (worm infestations, education of mother and education of father, menstrual problems) and anemia. In severe anemia cases also there was no association between self assessed symptoms and risk factors and anemia. Conclusion: Prevalence of anemia in adolescent girls remains high. In adolescent girls perception of symptoms of anemia is very poor .Hence there is need to examine hemoglobin concentration actively every year. Education regarding iron rich food should be given. The hemoglobin level of each and every adolescent should be recorded in progress report so as to make students, parents and teachers aware. A hemoglobin day should be observed in the whole country like pulse polio to increase awareness in the community at large.