PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA IN RURAL ASHRAM SHALA SCHOOL GIRLS (i.e. SCHOOL with HOSTEL) IN RURAL AREA IN RAIGAD DISTRICT,INDIA

Dr Laxmikant Chavan; Dr Sanjeev W Kamble; Dr Raju M Jotkar; Dr Laxmikant Talware; Dr Jayshree N Mhatre; Mr Kewal Varik

Volume : VII, Issue : X, October - 2018

PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA IN RURAL ASHRAM SHALA SCHOOL GIRLS (i.e. SCHOOL with HOSTEL) IN RURAL AREA IN RAIGAD DISTRICT,INDIA

Dr Laxmikant Chavan, Dr Sanjeev W Kamble, Dr Raju M Jotkar, Dr Laxmikant Talware, Dr Jayshree N Mhatre, Mr Kewal Varik

Abstract :

Background Anemia has always been one of the major health problem worldwide. Because of socioeconomic problems, the prevalence of anemia has always been higher in developing countriesespeciallyamong adolescent females.Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people, which corresponds to 24.8% of thepopulation. Findings from NFHS–3 (2005–06) indicate that 56% of the adolescent girls in India are anaemic and,of these 17% suffer from moderate to severe anaemia.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and the severity of the anaemia among the adolescent girlsstudying and Residingin Ashram Shala/School(i.e. School with dormitory /hostel).

Material andMethod:Area or region addressed – Anemia in adolescent girls. Present study was conducted among 211 adolescent (10–19Yrs) girls studying and residingin Ashram Shala/School of Raigad District, Maharashtra, Indiafrom June2015–July2016. Blood was collectedby finger prick and the hemoglobin was determined by cyanmethemoglobin method.

Results: The prevalence of anaemiawas 99.52% (with that of Moderate anaemia being 99.06%, that of mild anaemia being 0.47%. Majority of the girls had the moderate anemia. The prevalence of anaemia was considerably high among the adolescent girls studying and residing in Ashram Shala.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of anaemia was found among the adolescent girls staying in AshramShala (School with dormitory /hostel).Study results suggest that all the schoolgirls should be screened periodically and appropriate measures should be takenaccordinglysuch asDeworming, providing Iron Supplements and Nutritious Diet.