Prevalence of anemia among rural adolescent girls-Hospital based study from South India

Introduction: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in rural area and to study the association of anemia with respect to the age of the patients and their socio-demographic profile. Materials and Method: This was a cross sectional hospital based study, conducted on 779 adolescent patients (aged 10-19 years) attending out-patient departments and in-patients departments of Thuvakudi government hospital, Trichy district, between March 2015 and February 2016. Estimation of hemoglobin was carried out by cyanmethaemoglobin method. Statistical analysis was performed by using simple percentage method. Results: A total of 779 adolescents were evaluated anemia. 297 had anemia and accounted for 38.13%. Most of patients who had anemia were related to the age 14(23.23%). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anemia was 67.68%, 27.61% and 4.71% respectively. The prevalence of anemia was substantially high among the patients who were from low socio-economic status. Conclusion: Among adolescents girls, the prevalence of anemia was substantially high. Socio economic status and illiteracy are the major factors that contribute to high prevalence of anemia.