Sheena, ASheriff, R2024-11-302024-11-302023-03Sheena A, Sheriff R. A Study on Prevalence of Anemia among Female Medical Students of Kerala. International Journal of Scientific Study. 2023 Mar; 10(12): 26-292321-63792321-595Xhttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/235270Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders in women and children. The prevalence of anemia in India ranges from 19.13% to 52.5%. The risk factors include low socioeconomic status, menstruation, nutritional status, hand hygiene, and worm infestations. Untreated anemia can lead to morbidities including delayed menarche, increase in infections, low birth weight, increase in infant mortality rate, and maternal mortality rate. This study aims at understanding the prevalence of anemia among female medical students of Kerala. Materials and Methods: Participants were included following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the WHO guidelines after recording the height and weight of the candidates. The hemoglobin was estimated using Sahli’s acid hematin method and correlated with the BMI of the students. Results: Seventy-eight female students participated in the study out of which 19 were underweight, 51 had normal BMI, and eight were in obesity category. Forty-four students had hemoglobin above 13 g/dL. Among the 19 students who were underweight, six were found to be anemic and among the students with normal BMI, 26 were found to be anemic. The prevalence of anemia among the underweight category was 56.25% and in students with normal BMI, 51% were found to be anemic. Conclusion: The reason for students developing anemia is related to improper knowledge, attitude, and practice toward dietary habits, menstrual irregularities, and possibly occult parasitic infestations. It is essential that appropriate preventive measures such as health education, lifestyle modification, education about nutrition, and nutritional supplementation be carried out to reduce short-term and long-term morbidities among female undergraduate medical students.AnemiaBody mass indexFemale genderHemoglobinIron deficiency anemiaSahli’s acid hematin methodJournal ArticleIndiaAssociate Professor, Department of Physiology, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, IndiaProfessor, Department of Microbiology, Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, India