Dietary Pattern and Anaemia Among Female Adolescent Garment Workers in Bangladesh.
Loading...
Date
2014-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Introduction: In Bangladesh, many adolescents work in garment sector which is an important contributor to the country’s economy.
This study aimed to investigate the dietary pattern and haemoglobin level of the adolescent female garment workers in Bangladesh.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in a peri-urban area in Bangladesh in 2008. The food intake pattern was assessed
by food frequency questionnaire and level of haemoglobin was estimated by haemoglobin colour scale (HbCS). Anaemia was defined as
the haemoglobin level of <12 g/dl.1 Results: Among 108 participants, 104 (96%) were muslim, 83 (77%) were unmarried and 54 (50%)
had a primary level of education. Most of their parents were illiterate. Sixty six (61%) respondents had a large family (>5 family
members, mean 5.2, SD±2.1). The mean age at menarche was 12.91±1.37 years. Majority of them worked for >12 hours (55, 51%), did
not watch television (77, 71%) and had just three meals with no snacks in between the meals (97, 90%) in last seven days. Fish, pulse and
fruits/vegetables were consumed for >6 times in a week by 59 (55%), 56 (52%) and 68 (63%) respondents, respectively. Majority of the
participants did not consume milk (65, 60%) and meat (62, 57%) in last seven days. Prevalence of anaemia was 92% (99); 54% (58) were
moderately anaemic and 38% (41) were mildly anaemic. Discussion: Prevalence of anaemia among adolescent female garment workers
is extremely high. They also consume inadequate food. Immediate steps should be taken to improve nutritional status of these girls.
Description
Keywords
Anaemia, Dietary pattern, Adolescent, Garment factory, Bangladesh
Citation
Saha Shampa, Farzana Sadia, Begum Afroza. Dietary Pattern and Anaemia Among Female Adolescent Garment Workers in Bangladesh. Acta Medica International. 2014 Jul-Dec; 1(2): 103-106.