PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Anusha Merline J; Delinda Linu Swornila; Pramod Thomas; Prasanna Kumari L

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2017

PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Anusha Merline J, Delinda Linu Swornila, Pramod Thomas, Prasanna Kumari L

Abstract :

Background: Anemia is a nutritional problem, mainly caused by iron deficiency. Medical students form an integral part of health care system. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia among young female medical students of a medical college in a rural area of South Kerala. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted on 196 participants after obtaining due ethical permission from institutional ethical. Pre–structured questionnaire was administered to obtain the data on clinical and socio– demographic information and hemoglobin levels were estimated using cyanmethhemoglobin method. Results: Prevalence of anemia was found to be 16.8%. Anemia was found to be more prevalent among normal BMI participants (p = 0.032) and less prevalent among those who included green leafy vegetables in their regular diet. Conclusion: Anemia can be prevented by regular intake of green leafy vegetables.