DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i10.037

Pages: 3744-3748

Anaemia is a serious public health and nutrition problem affecting both developing and developed countries. Adolescents are more vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia, because of increased iron requirements related to rapid growth. Considerable changes in growth pattern, lifestyle, dietary habits and behaviour are likely to influence the haemoglobin levels among adolescents group. The objective of the study was to determine haemoglobin level and RBC count in adolescents and difference in male and female students. A cross sectional study was conducted on 139 medical students of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS, Imphal, Manipur) belonging to both sexes from August 2014 to November 2015, after taking written consent from all participants. 3ml of venous blood was collected and analyzed in automated haematoanalyzer in Physiology Department. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 21. Unpaired t test was used to compare numerical variables among two groups. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. In our study, total 139 students were included within the age group of 18-21 years. There was a significant difference of Hb and RBC level between male and female (p value <0.001*). Out of 75 male students, 70 were normal (Hb > 13 gm/dl), 5 had Hb < 12 gm/dl and out of 32 female students, 14 had mild, 17 had moderate and 1 had severe anaemia. Anaemia was more prevalent among female students rather than male students inspite of being literate. At the time of admission to medical colleges haemoglobin estimation should be done. Iron and folic acid tablets should be provided to anaemic students. Deworming drugs should be provided.