A Descriptive Study to Assess the Prevalence of Anemia and Identify Dietary Practices among Adolescent Girls in Selected School of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Anemia is one of the major public-health problems that affects the world’s total population widely Anemia is known to affect people belonging to all age-groups, particularly women of child bearing age and children. Hence, the researcher felt the need to conduct a descriptive study to assess the prevalence of anemia and identify dietary practices among adolescent girls in selected school of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: Quantitative approach with descriptive survey design was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The sample consisted of 100 adolescent girls (11-17 years) from selected school of Moradabad. Convenient sampling technique was used to select the sample. A structured questionnaire was developed to identify dietary practices and to obtain demographic profile of adolescent girls and a recording sheet was used to collect data regarding their haemoglobin level. Results: The data collected was analysed and interpreted using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study showed that 66% of the adolescents were anemic; out of which 31% were mild anemic, 25% moderate and 10% were severely anemic. There was a significant relationship between anemic statuses of the sample with their frequency of eating junk food. A pamphlet on prevention and management of anemia among adolescent was developed and disseminated to the adolescent girls. Conclusion: The point prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls was found to be 66%. The high prevalence of anaemia among adolescents demands due emphasis on iron and folic acid supplementation, iron rich food intake, health education regarding personal hygiene and periodical deworming to reduce the burden of anaemia among adolescent girls.