A Community Study on Prevalence and Knowledge Regarding Anaemia among Adolescent Girls in a Rural Area of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.

“Adolescence” is a transitional stage of physical and mental development between childhood and adulthood i.e. between 11–18 years¹. The most prominent health issues in developing countries like India are anaemia and malnutrition. The causes are poverty, inadequate diet, acute and chronic diseases, pregnancy/lactation and poor access to health services. Adolescents comprise about 22% of India's population. An estimated 27% & 6% of adolescents are anaemic in developing and developed countries respectively². According to National Family Health Survey-³, adolescent girls (11–18 years) constitute 17% of total female population i.e. 8.3 crores and the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls is around 65–75%.

To estimate the prevalence of anemia among the adolescent girls in a rural area of Rajahmundry

To assess the knowledge regarding the causes and clinical symptoms of it among adolescent girls and to suggest measures for prevention of anaemia.

The field practice area of Rural Health and Training Centre of a Medical College consists of 3 Primary Health Centre's. Out of these 3 PHC's, 1 PHC selected by loery method. It comprises of 10 revenue villages, two revenue villages selected randomly. A pre-tested and pre-designed questionnaire used to collect information on socio demographic characteristics like age, educational status, family size, monthly family income, diet, age of menarche, worm infestations, excessive menstrual bleeding in past 3 months. Height, weight and BMI will be recorded. Hb% estimated using ‘Sahli's Haemoglobinometer.

The prevalence of anemia was found to be 63.75%. Highest among late adolescents(1718 years), illiterates, vegetarian, and the association was found to be significant knowledge regarding causes, only 64.65% heard term anaemia, 16.27% had knowledge that menstrual related problems cause anaemia, 18.13% still practice draining rice water.