Anaemia among schoolchildren from southern Kerala, India: A cross-sectional study.
Loading...
Date
2015-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background. Iron deficiency anaemia remains a major
nutritional problem among adolescents in India. The weekly
iron and folic acid supplementation programme was launched
in Kerala in 2013–14. We aimed to estimate the prevalence
of anaemia among schoolchildren in Kollam district, Kerala
and determine the associated factors.
Methods. The haemoglobin level of 1600 boys and 1600
girls belonging to class V to IX in 32 randomly selected schools
in Kollam district was measured using HemoCue 301
photometers by trained nurses. They also recorded details
about the intake of food as well as iron tablets by the students.
The anaemia status was evaluated as per the WHO guidelines.
Univariate analysis for factors associated with anaemia was
done and selected variables were entered into a logistic
regression model.
Results. The prevalence of anaemia among the students
was estimated to be 31.4% (95% CI 29.76–33.04). About
1% had severe, 11.9% had moderate and 18.5% had mild
anaemia. Among them 35.3%, 22.3% and 45.3% reported
that they were not in the habit of consuming meat, green leafy
vegetables and citrus fruits, respectively, at least once a week.
Anaemia among schoolgoing children was associated with
irregular consumption of weekly iron folic acid supplementation
tablets (adjusted OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.08–1.82) and regular
intake of tea/coffee along with major meals (adjusted OR
1.41, 95% CI 1.21–1.66).
Conclusion. Anaemia among schoolgoing adolescents in
Kollam district is a public health problem and is more among
those who consumed less quantities of weekly iron and folic
acid supplementation tablets and those who regularly consumed
tea/coffee along with major meals. It may be helpful to
introduce a comprehensive school health anaemia prevention
package with effective behaviour change communication for
dietary modification as well as strategies to improve the
Description
Keywords
Citation
Rakesh P.S. , Rajeswaran T., Ramachandran Rakesh, Mathew Gigil, Sheeja A.L., Subhagan S., Salila K. Anaemia among schoolchildren from southern Kerala, India: A cross-sectional study.National Medical Journal of India. 2015 Sept-Oct; 28(5): 225-227.