Anemia and Its Relationship with Academic Performance among Adolescent School Girls in Kebena District, Southwest Ethiopia

Background Anemia affects more than 2 billion people worldwide. It is a serious public health concern in developing countries and its prevalence is quite high among female adolescents. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia among female adolescents and determine its relationship with their performance at school. Methods The present school-based, cross sectional study was conducted on 442 female adolescents in Kebena district, Southwest Ethiopia from June 2012 to June 2013. In this study, cluster sampling method was used. The status of anemia was measured, using the HemoCue system (Hb 301 system) and categorized, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off point. The data were imported to EPI-Info version 3. 5. 3 and analyzed using SPSS version 16. 0. The students’ academic performance was assessed, based on the average academic score in 2012 - 2013. Results The prevalence of anemia was 12% among the participants (95% CI, 9. 2 - 15. 3), which was categorized as moderate (0. 9%) and mild (11. 1%) anemia. Younger age (OR = 4. 4; 95% CI, 1. 9 - 9. 9) and frequently walking barefoot (OR = 2. 7; 95% CI, 1. 1 - 6. 8) were significantly associated with anemia. Younger age (OR = 1. 7; 95% CI, 1. 1 - 3. 1), educational status (OR = 2. 6; 95% CI, 1. 5 - 4. 4), absent days from school (OR = 1. 6; 95% CI, 1. 1 - 2. 5), high workload at home (OR = 1. 9; 95% CI, 1. 3 - 2. 5), eating less than 3 times a day (OR = 1. 6; 95% CI, 1. 2 - 3. 0), and anemic status (OR = 1. 7; 95% CI, 1. 2 - 2. 7) were significantly associated with low academic performance. Conclusions Anemia screening should be directed towards adolescent school girls. Also, iron and folic acid supplementation programs may help improve the academic performance of these individuals.