Prevalence and determinants of nutritional anemia in an urban area among unmarried adolescent girls: A community-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: Nutrition status prior to pregnancy is of vital importance. Inadequate iron stores bef ore conception is a major cause of iron deficiency.The primary objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence of anaemia and the secondary objective was to assess various epidemiological factors associated with anaemia. Methods: A community based, cross – sectional study was carried among 207 unmarried adolescent girls between 10 to 19 years, residing in urban field practice area of tertiary care hospital in Mumbai for one year. All study participants social demographic profile, diet history was collected. Findings of clinical examination, height and weight was recorded. Blood and stools samples were collected after obtaining verbal consent from their parents. Univariate and binary logistic regression analysis was done using SPSS 11.5 version. Results: The overall prevalence of anaemia was 78.3%. Prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia was 64.2%, 36.2% and 0.6% respectively. Study participants with BMI <18.5 Kg/M² had significantly higher prevalence of anaemia. 88.9% had no knowledge regarding anaemia. In logistic regression analysis body mass index, per capita income and intestinal parasites in stool were the variables independently associated with anaemia. Conclusions: The high prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls indicates need for additional nutritional support, iron folic acid supplementation including prevention and control of worm infestation in urban communities. It would be desirable that action for improvement is initiated right at the adolescent stage, thereby ensuring adequate body stores of iron even before they marry and become pregnant.