A Study on Awareness among Adolescent Males in Rural Area of District Amritsar on Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anaemia remains a significant public health problem in vulnerable groups like adolescents. In India, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia had been reported to be 55.8% among females and 30.2% among males in age group of 15–19 years.[3] This necessitates the importance of awareness about the disease among adolescents. Policy makers should focus their strategy right from adolescence beginning with raising awareness about iron deficiency anemia.

To assess the level of awareness about causes, prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent males in rural area of Chhapa Ram Singh village, District Amritsar.

A cross-sectional study conducted using a self designed standardized questionnaire from November, 2013 to January, 2014. The study population consists of all adolescent males of the village (n=179). Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info™ 7.1.3 14

Our study indicates that only 15.6% of the participants knew well about iron deficiency anemia and 59.78% of the participants had poor knowledge on iron deficiency anemia. Chi square statistics shows significant relationship (p <0.05) between awareness about iron deficiency anemia with education, type of family, caste and socio-economic status of the participant.

Awareness regarding iron deficiency anemia is poor among adolescents and it is directly linked with the educational and social status of a community. This reflects into high prevalence of anemia among adolescents in India, necessitating the importance of inclusion of health education regarding awareness and knowledge about iron deficiency anemia in school going children.