DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i01.048

Pages: 229-235

Anemia is a global health problem, moreso in the adolescent population due to rapid growth spurt and relative dietary deficiency of micronutrients. Many studies in India and other developing countries have reported a high prevalence among the adolescent school children. However, prevalence among similar population in the north-east India with different race, culture, socio-demographic profile and dietary habits, is less well-studied. This cross-sectional study aims to study anemia among 379 adolescent school children (216 males and 163 females) aged 11-19 years from selected government and private schools of Imphal east (urban) and Thoubal (rural) districts of Manipur and to determine the association between anemia and selected variables of interest like age, sex, diet, BMI, hygienic practices and family income. Haemoglobin estimation was done by cynamethaemoglobin method and data related to determinants of anemia were collected in a predesigned proforma. Statistical analysis was done using percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square and student t-test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be 36.4% (50% among females and 31.2% among males) with higher prevalence among rural adolescent school children. Anemia was found to be closely associated with female gender (p=0.00), BMI status (p=0.015), middle income group (19.6%), lack of hygienic practices (p=0.00) and fear of weight gain (p=0.02). School health program should focus on prevention and treatment of anemia, targeting on individual’s benefit. Education on hygienic practices, diet and importance of nutrition should be included in the curriculum. Deworming should be part of the school health programme.