| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2019 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 2 | Page : 144-148 |
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Anemia-related knowledge, attitude, and practices in adolescent schoolgirls of Delhi: A cross-sectional study
Monika Singh1, Om Prakash Rajoura2, Raghavendra A Honnakamble1
1 Department of Community Medicine, SN Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, UCMS and GTBH, Delhi, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Raghavendra A Honnakamble
Department of Community Medicine, SN Medical College, Bagalkot - 587 102, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijhas.IJHAS_97_18
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BACKGROUND: Anemia is a serious public health problem, especially in a developing country like India. Gap in nutritional knowledge is one of the major reasons for nutritional problems. Consequently, improper practices can lead to intergenerational impact.
OBJECTIVES: To examine anemia-related knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) in adolescent schoolgirls and to find health-seeking behavior regarding anemia among adolescent schoolgirls.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in a northwest district of Delhi. A total of 210 adolescent schoolgirls were included in this study. A predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to asses KAP about anemia.
RESULTS: The present study observed that adolescent schoolgirls had less knowledge about anemia. Out of 210 girls, only 60 (28.5%) had heard the term anemia and among them, 50 (83.3%) considered that anemia is a health problem. Very few girls correctly answered questions regarding the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of anemia. Most of the students (170 [80.9]) used soap for washing their hands and the rest (19%) cleaned with just water. Only 52% of girls cleaned their hands with soap before consuming food. Trimming of nails regularly was practiced by 160 (76.2%) girls, and there was a practice of barefoot walking outside the home in 28.5% of girls.
CONCLUSION: Adolescent girls exhibited knowledge toward anemia but not adequate attitude and practice. Propagation of comprehensive nutritional knowledge regarding diet and supplements rich in iron should be made mandatory.
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