A Cross-sectional Study on Anaemia Related Knowledge and Dietary Practices: Insights from School-going Adolescents in Mulshi Taluka, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence Address :
Dr. Arti Muley,
Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Campus Hill Base, Lavale, Pune-412201, Maharashtra, India
E-mail: arti@sihs.edu.in
Introduction: Anaemia is a global public health concern affecting individuals of all ages, particularly adolescents who are in a stage of rapid growth and development, making them more susceptible to iron deficiency anaemia. In India, the prevalence of anaemia among adolescents is high, with significant variations across regions. Literature regarding knowledge about anaemia and related dietary practices is scarce in Pune district, especially in Mulshi taluka.
Aim: To study knowledge related to anaemia and assess the dietary practices in terms of consumption of iron-rich foods among adolescents aged between 14 to 17 years enrolled in public schools of Mulshi Taluka, Pune District.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among school-going adolescents aged 14 to 17 years in Mulshi taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra, India, from June 2023 to August 2023. Data were collected from public schools using a pretested structured questionnaire administered through one-on-one interviews. A total of 285 responses were obtained. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were applied to analyse the collected data using Microsoft (MS) Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results: The study revealed that more than half of the adolescents were familiar with anaemia (59.6%). However, a lower percentage considered it a health problem (45.6%). Only a few adolescents had taken Iron-folic Acid (IFA) tablets within the past year (13%), while a higher percentage had consumed deworming tablets in the past six months (70.2%). Adolescents consumed roti or rice daily (90.2%), pulses (54.7%), and Dark Green Leafy Vegetables (DGLV) (73.7%) weekly. Fruits were consumed mainly weekly (46%) and occasionally (39.6%), whereas fried food and aerated drinks were regularly consumed. The findings revealed poor implementation of the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) program.
Conclusion: The study highlighted a lack of anaemia-related knowledge and observed inadequate dietary practices among adolescents. Thus, comprehensive efforts are required to bridge the knowledge gaps, improve dietary practices, and strengthen program implementation to ensure the comprehensive health and well-being of adolescents in Mulshi Taluka.
Adolescent health, Iron-folic acid tablets, Intensified national iron plus initiative
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2024/67617.19547
Date of Submission: Oct 17, 2023
Date of Peer Review: Dec 29, 2023
Date of Acceptance: May 04, 2024
Date of Publishing: Jun 01, 2024
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. Yes
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Oct 22, 2023
• Manual Googling: Jan 10, 2024
• iThenticate Software: May 03, 2024 (11%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
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