A STUDY ON CLINICODEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA IN CHILDREN OF AGE 6 – 1O YEARS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN URBAN SLUMS OF KAKINADA

Background: Anemia is a global public health problem associated with increased mortality and morbidity. It is the most common hematological disease of pediatric population. Anemia in school going children is multi factorial and if not identied and treated in time can affect irreversibly their psycho motor development and scholastic performance. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, severity and risk factors for anemia among school children of 6 to 10 years of age. A school based cross- Methods: sectional study was conducted. A total of 400 school-age children of 6 to 10 years were included in this study. Socio-demographic, anthropometric data and dietary habits were noted down. Hemoglobin value was estimated from venous sample of these children. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The overall prevalence of anemia among school-age children was ...... Underweight, st Results: unting, low BMI, vegetarian diet, intake diet with low iron rich foods like jaggery, ground nuts, GLV were identied as risk factors for anemia Prevalence of anemia is Conclusion: a signicant health problem among school-age children. School health strategies and interventions targeting nutritional deciencies and parasitic infections and counseling to modify the food habits are very important to address this hematological problem in school children.