To study the prevalence of anaemia among school going children in rural area near Indore

Introduction: Anaemia is a global public health problem which affects both the developing and the developed countries. It is an indicator of poor nutrition and poor health with major consequences on human health, as well as for the social and economic development of a population. It has significant impact on cognitive function, behaviour and school performance. Anaemia is a common problem throughout the world and iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world. It affects mainly the poorest segment of the population. The purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence of anaemia among school going children of rural area of three schools of Khudel Village in Indore District of Madhya Pradesh. Methods: This study was conducted in the three schools of rural area near Indore District, of MP. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in rural Schools from January 2017 to June 2017 on 500 children, aged 5-16 years, selected through systematic random sampling method. Study subjects were school children (<16 years). The students and school authority were assured for their confidentiality of their response. Hemoglobin level was estimated by Sahli's Hemometer by acid hemolysis method. Results: The analysis of the obtained data was based on the objective of the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for data analysis and data interpretation. Results of the study revealed that 56.4% of the samples are of males and 43.6% of the samples are of female. 50.8% of the samples are in the age group of 5 to 10 years, 36.4% of samples were in the group of 10-14 years and 12.8% of samples are more than 14 years of age. After analysis and interpretation of data, It was found that out of total boys, examined 91.1% males were anaemic and out of total females, examined 94.9% females were anaemic. Overall incidence of anaemia amongst girls and boys was found to be 92.8%. Conclusions: The Prevalence of Anaemia in the developing countries tends to be three to four times higher than in the developed countries. Hence, improvement in sanitation, hand hygiene, dietary habits related to consumption of clean food, green leafy vegetables,` should be included in diet plan. Health education, seminars on menstrual hygiene, impact of anaemia on individual & society should be conducted at regular interval.