Knowledge Regarding Anaemia and Its Impact on Adolescent Girls of the Kolam Tribe: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Anaemia is a significant global health concern. Most adolescent age groups are more prone to anaemia. Whereas tribal groups are more susceptible to anaemia because of lack of awareness, lack of hygiene etc. Tribals are considered backward, primitive groups who are hesitant to seek out the community's health services. Thus, it is necessary to investigate their current state of health.

Objective: the present study was to know the socio-demographic profile and, Secondly, to find out the knowledge regarding anaemia and lastly, to assess the anaemic status in adolescent girls. Methods: it is a cross-sectional study conducted in a Government Higher Secondary school with purposively selected 60 study subjects aged 17 & 18 years, using a predesigned and pre-tested questionnaire the study was conducted from October 2023 to February 2024. The tools used were a stadiometer, and digital weighing machine for anthropometric assessment and anaemic status was assessed using a hemoglobinometer.

Results: A mean age of 17.23 ± 0.419 years was observed. in which 75% were anaemic i.e. n=60 and only all the study subjects belonged to the Kolam tribe. And only 20% of them are aware that haemoglobin status can assess iron deficiency. Last, but not least, only two-fourth of them were aware of anaemia.

Conclusion: The study reveals the prevalence of anaemia is about 75% and they are not much aware of anaemia and its associated factors.