Prevalence, Determinants of Anemia and its Impact on Quality of Life Among Adolescent Girls- A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health. Anemia is a critical public health problem in India that affects women and children throughout the lifecycle. Anemia in girls during pregnancy is associated with premature births, low birth weight, and peri-natal and maternal mortality. Adolescence is an opportune time for interventions to address anemia, as it is an important time of growth and development. Objectives-To assess the prevalence, determinants and the impact of anemia on quality of life among adolescent girls. Material and methods-A descriptive study was conducted among 60 adolescent girls of selected college of Durg, Chhattisgarh in December 2021.Girls were selected by purposive sampling technique.  Information regarding socio-demographic, prevalence and determinants was recorded in pre-designed, pre -tested questionnaire, observation checklist and impact of anemia on quality of life was assessed by WHO QOL BREF Scale. Hemoglobin estimation was done by Sahli’s haemoglobinometer and anthropometric measurement was also examined. Data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation. Results: Anemia (Hb <12 g dl were prevalent in (70%) of the study sample.  Out of 60 samples in the study population42 (70%) girls were having moderate anemia, 4(6.7%) were mild anemic and 14(23.3%) were non anemic. Pallor in palmer surface and tongue were present in30 (50%) girls, 34(56%) were having angular stomatitis, 42(70%) girls faced leg cramps and28 (46.7%) have thinning of hair. Weakness, irritability, fatigue, headache, palpitations and loss of appetite were reported in 83.3%, 80% and 70%, respectively. About 36(60%) girls have poor concentration while doing any activities. The data regarding determinants which revealed that 44(73.3%) girls belonged to middle class, 26(43.3%) of them were facing dysmenorrhea during menstrual cycle, 32(53.3%) of them attained menarche at the age of 15-16yr, 73.3% have regular cycle, with 24(40%) have heavy flow. All the girls 60(100%) have good sanitation facilities at home and only 16(26.7%) have habit of exercising daily and experience excessive sweating at the time of exercise.  Out of 60 samples, a majority 40(66.7%) of them were found to be with good quality of life, 12(20.0%) were found to be with average quality of life, 6(10.0%) with very good quality of life and a meager 2(3.3%) was with poor quality of life. Conclusions-In present study majority adolescent girls are suffering from moderate level of anemia with many symptoms. Nutrition education along with nutritional supplementation and iron folicacid tablets should be provided to all girls. Awareness regarding prophylactic measures of anemia to be given to especially adolescent girls in order to prevent complications in future and prepare them for healthy reproductive life.