Risk Factors Influencing Anaemic Prevalence Among Adolescent Girls in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala
Abstract
Introduction: Anaemia in adolescent girls is a significant public health issue in Kerala, influenced by poor dietary habits, insufficient iron intake, menstrual health issues, socioeconomic disparities, and limited healthcare access. Cultural practices and gender norms further exacerbate anaemia. Addressing this requires comprehensive public health interventions, nutritional education, and policy changes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Konni village, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, with 200 adolescent girls aged 15–18 years from five schools (one government, one private-aided, and three private). Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire from January to February 2023, covering socio-economic details, parents’ education and occupation, and dietary habits (age, BMI, type of school and family, mother’s education, monthly income, father’s occupation, and fruit and leafy vegetable consumption). Statistical analysis included percentage calculation, chi-square tests (p = 0.05), odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using SPSS 19.
Results: Dietary diversity was poor, with only 2% of participants consuming fruits and leafy vegetables daily, and most consuming them monthly or occasionally. PCA identified nine key risk factors for anaemia, including socio-economic variables like mother’s educational level and family type. Lower maternal education correlated with higher anaemia rates, likely due to insufficient knowledge about nutrition and healthcare.
Conclusion: The study highlights the significant impact of anaemia, with notable associations with age, father’s occupation, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Despite Kerala’s relative development, anaemia remains a major public health concern. PCA revealed critical risk factors, emphasising the complex interplay of socio-economic factors, personal hygiene, and dietary habits in anaemia prevalence.
How to cite this article:
Isaac J. Risk Factors Influencing Anaemic Prevalence Among Adolescent Girls in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. Chettinad Health City Med J. 2024;13(2):54-62.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202429
References
Kuruvilla S, Bustreo F, Kuo T, Mishra CK, Taylor K, Fogstad H, Gupta GR, Gilmore K, Temmerman M, Thomas J, Rasanathan K, Chaiban T, Mohan A, Gruending A, Schweitzer J, Dini HS, Borrazzo J, Fassil H, Gronseth L, Khosla R, Cheeseman R, Gorna R, McDougall L, Toure K, Rogers K, Dodson K, Sharma A, Seoane M, Costello A. The global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (2016-2030): a roadmap based on evidence and country experience. Bull World Health Organ. 2016;94(5):398-400. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Heckman JJ. Four big benefits of investing in early childhood development [Internet]. The Heckman Equation; [cited 2023 Sep 17]. Available from: http://heckmanequation.org/content/resource/4-bigbenefits-investing-early-childhood-development
World Health Organization. Health for the world’s adolescents: a second chance in the second decade: summary. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014. [Google Scholar]
Chavada MV, Prajapati JD, Rathod DM, Chaudhary P, Agrawal KM. Screening of novice adolescent girls for anemia studying in medical and paramedical colleges at Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Natl J Community Med. 2013;4(2):337-43. [Google Scholar]
Prashant K, Shaw C. Nutritional status of adolescent girls from an urban slum area in South India. Indian J Pediatr. 2009;76(5):501-4. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India, 2019-21: Kerala. Mumbai: IIPS; 2021.
National Family Health Survey (NFHS) [Internet]. Home page; [cited 2023 Sep 11]. Available from: http://www.rchiips.org/nfhs
Global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (2016–2030). New York: Every Woman Every Child; 2015.
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation [Internet]. Anaemia–level 1 impairment: global health metrics; [cited 2023 Sep 23]. Available from: https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/diseases-injuriesrisks/factsheets/2021-anemia-level-1-impairment
Chakrabarty M, Singh A, Singh S, Chowdhury S. Is the burden of anaemia among Indian adolescent women increasing? Evidence from Indian Demographic and Health Surveys (2015–21). PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023;3(9):e0002117. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Cashin K, Oot L. Guide to anthropometry: a practical tool for program planners, managers, and implementers [Internet]. Washington, DC: Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA)/ FHI 360; 2018 [cited 2023 Sep 10]. Available from: https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/resources/FANTA-Anthropometry-Guide-May2018.pdf
Parimalavalli R, Sangeetha M. Anthropometric measurements and nutrient intake of adolescent girls. Anthropologist. 2011;13(2):111-5. [Google Scholar]
World Health Organization [Internet]. Adolescent health; [cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/adolescent-health#tab=tab_1
Piccin A. Do we need to test blood donors for sickle cell anaemia? Blood Transfus. 2010;8(3):137-8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
