ABSTRACT

Anemia is a major public health problem in school children especially in developing country. Anemia, defined as a low blood hemoglobin concentration. School-age children are the most vulnerable population group for anemia. Hence the present cross-sectional study was planned to find the prevalence of Iron Deficiency anemia (IDA) among Government schools and also private schools children in Thiruporur, Kanchipuram (Dt), Tamil Nadu. The study population 1000 children (500 Government and 500 private schools) with inclusion and exclusion criteria fixed for sample selection. After getting written permission from the Chief Educational Officer (CEO), Chengalpattu, School Principal, the consent form was given to school children to be completed by parents. Basic anthropometric measurement like height, weight and BMI calculated. Haemoglobin level was estimated by using Sahli’s method. Current study report reveals that prevalence of mild and moderate anemia was higher compared to severe anemia among government and private school children. Out of 292 male children 62.67 % children and out of 208 female children 66.82 % children in government school, 64.78 % male children (out of 230) and 65.92 % female children (out of 270) in private school affected with mild anemia. But compared to male children little more female children are affected with mild anemia in both government and private schools. The study concluded that anemia constitutes a major health problem, especially among school children. Considering the associated factors and the fact that these children are in a school environment, the promotion of healthy eating habits could be an important approach for reducing the prevalence of anemia. An awareness campconducted on nutrition, mainly focusing on the consumption of dietary sources of iron, are beneficial to reduce the burden of anaemia among children. Keywords: Anemia, Food consumption, associated factors, school children, Hemoglobin
Publication date: 01/01/2025

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/January/MS_IJBPAS_2025_8628.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.1.8628