ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescent constitutes over 23% of the population in India. Critical development occurs during adolescence period. Growth spurt and increase in physical activity during adolescent period increases the nutrition and health needs of the adolescent. Objective was to study prevalence of nutritional deficiencies among school going adolescents of Vadodara city, Gujarat.Methods: The study was carried during period from September 2018 to August 2019. After taking the permission of principals of 3 schools and consent of the parents of adolescents, 511 adolescents from 3 schools of Vadodara city were examined for signs of various nutritional deficiencies. The data was collected by predesign, pretested proforma and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 (Trial Version).Results: Out of total 511 adolescents 253(49.5%) were female. Mean age of the study adolescents was 15.6±1.81 years. Maximum numbers of the adolescents were in the age group of 10-14 years (60.3%). Mean age of female and male adolescents was 15.2±1.71 years and 15.6±2.01 years respectively. The study revealed that vitamin A deficiency was present in 38(7.4%) adolescents. Vitamin B complex deficiency signs were seen in 112(21.9%) adolescents. Vitamin C deficiency signs were seen in 43(8.4%) adolescents. Protein Energy Malnutrition was observed in 52(10.1%) adolescents. Essential fatty acid deficiency was observed in 56(10.9%) adolescents.Conclusions: High prevalence of nutritional deficiencies among these adolescents needs great attention and health education.
ABSTRACT
Background: The nutritional and the health needs of the adolescents more because of the growth spurt and the increase in physical activity. So, they are at high risk for anaemia and malnutrition. Objective was to assess knowledge of adolescent girls regarding anaemia and its preventive measures before and after educational interventional training.Methods: The present study was an interventional study undertaken in purposively selected Government Arts college of Vadodara city during June to September 2019. Total 100 adolescent girls between the age group of 17-19 were included after written informed consent. Baseline knowledge of adolescent girls regarding anaemia and its preventive measures was assessed by pre-designed, pre-tested and semi structured questionnaire. Single educational interventional training for 45 minutes was given to selected adolescent girls. Post-intervention knowledge of students for the same was assessed after training. Thus, collected data was analyzed using SPSS 17 (Trial Version).Results: Baseline knowledge of the adolescent girls regarding causes, signs and symptoms of anemia and dietary sources of iron was 23%, 40% and 25% respectively which was significantly increased to 66%, 72% and 55% respectively after the intervention. Baseline knowledge of the adolescent girls regarding factors which inhibit and increase iron absorption was 4% and 30% respectively which was significantly increased to 41% and 79 % respectively after the intervention. Baseline knowledge of the adolescent girls regarding treatment of anaemia was 21% which was significantly increased to 64 % after the intervention.Conclusions: Single educational session significantly improve the knowledge of adolescent girls regarding anaemia and its preventive measures.