A study of anemia among adolescent females in the urban area of Nagpur

• Main Authors: Chaudhary Sanjeev, Dhage Vasant
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2008-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Community Medicine
• Subjects: Adolescent female; anemia; height; urban; weight
• Online Access: http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2008;volume=33;issue=4;spage=243;epage=245;aulast=Chaudhary

<b>Objectives: </b> To estimate the prevalence of anemia among adolescent females and to study the socio-demographic factors associated with anemia. <b> Materials and Methods: </b> A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an urban area under Urban Health Training Center, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur. A total of 296 adolescent females (10-19 years old) were included in this study. The study took place from October 2002 to March 2003 (6 months). Statistical analyses were done using percentage, standard error of proportion, Chi-square test, and Student&#x2032;s &#x2032;t&#x2032; test. <b> Results: </b> The prevalence of anemia was found to be 35.1&#x0025;. A significant association of anemia was found with socio-economic status and literacy status of parents. Mean height and weight of subjects with anemia was significantly less than subjects without anemia. <b> Conclusions: </b> A high prevalence of anemia among adolescent females was found, which was higher in the lower socio-economic strata and among those whose parents were less educated. It was seen that anemia affects the overall nutritional status of adolescent females.