SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS ASSOCIATED WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN MENSTRUATING ADOLESCENTS IN RURAL POPULATION

Background: The objective of the study was to study the correlates of anaemia like Body Mass Index, number of bleeding days and menstrual pattern of anaemic menstruating adolescent girls. Methods: Out of the total 624 adolescent girls, 588 menstruating adolescent girls studying in selected eight schools of Handignur PHC were included in the study. At baseline, structured questionnaire was administered to collect the socio-demographic information, knowledge and practice regarding anaemia and its prevention. Measurement of height and weight was done. Results: Prevalence of anaemia in menstruating adolescent girls was 94.6% (95% CI 92.83 to 96.37) Conclusions: Majority of the girls are consuming diet deficient in iron. In order to prevent the complications of anaemia during pregnancy and child birth and also the maternal deaths, all the adolescent girls? anaemia needs to be corrected before they get married.