Awareness and preventive practices for anaemia among urban school going adolescent girls

Background: Anaemia is a significant public health concern in India, particularly among adolescent girls. The objective was to assess awareness and dietary practices related to anaemia among urban adolescent school-going girls and indirectly evaluate the effectiveness of the weekly iron and folic acid supplementation WIFS Program. Methods: A prospective questionnaire-based survey was conducted among urban adolescent school-going girls in India. The data so obtained was analysed. Results: High awareness levels regarding anaemia were observed (98.9%). Additionally, 96.7% of the respondents were aware that anaemia was a health problem, 71.3% of respondents could satisfactorily talk about anaemia, and 28.7% had insufficient knowledge. Awareness about anaemia symptoms was lower, with only 56.2% giving satisfactory responses. Most girls adopted good practices to prevent anaemia. 85.7% took iron supplements, which the government provides under the WIFAS scheme, and 78.7% consumed green leafy vegetables. The hygiene practices are well maintained, with 98.9% washing hands before meals and 100% washing hands after defecation. 85.6% had taken deworming tablets, which helped in preventing anaemia caused by parasitic infections 60.3% reported experiencing stress or worry, which may indirectly affect anaemia management, as stress can impact nutritional intake and overall health. Conclusion: Targeted educational initiatives are necessary to enhance knowledge about anaemia symptoms and promote consistent dietary habits. Continuous monitoring and supportive health interventions are crucial to ensure better anaemia prevention and management.