PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AMONG UNDERGRADUATE GIRL STUDENTS OF A UNIVERSITY OF ASSAM

Akshay Chandra Deka*, Vidhya S., Arpita Deb Nath and Pratap Chandra Sarma

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives: Anemia is a global health problem. About 40% of the world's population suffers from anemia and college going girls are one of the most vulnerable age group. Hence the objective of the study was to determine prevalence and distribution of anemia among college going girl students of Assam down Town University. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in University of Assam from Northeastern India for the college going girls. A total of 262 college going girls (18-25 years of age) were included in the study. Hemoglobin, PCV, ESR estimation, RBC count was done and anemia was defined as per WHO cut-off. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was found to be 54.11% where 2 (0.76%) were severe, 50 (19%) were moderate positive and 90 (34.35%) were mildly anemic. It was observed that the prevalence of anaemia was high in college going girls (18- 25yrs). A majority of the girls had mild anaemia. We have found 186 (71%) under weight and 76(29%) girls with normal BMI. Conclusion: The present study revealed anaemia to be a major health problem among the college going educated girls in University with high prevalence rate and nutrition is one of the leading causative factors for anemia.

Keywords: Haemoglobin, BMI, Anaemia.