Background: According to latest WHO report Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) prevalence in India reported to vary from 56% - 90.1% in adolescent girls. 67.8 – 98.5 million adolescent girls are anaemic. Anemia in the adolescence causes stunted growth, poor school performance, decrease memory, diminished concentration in work, School dropout, decrease immunity, susceptibility to infection and also poses a major threat to future safe motherhood in girls.

Aims and Objectives: To find out prevalence of anaemia, To assess self reported symptoms of anaemia among school adolescents of Gwalior township.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study, conducted among 400 school adolescents in Gwalior Township, of Madhya Pradesh, from January 2016 to December 2016.  It was a questionnaire based study. Hemoglobin estimation was done by finger prick method.

Results:  The anemia was present in 60% girls & 38% boys. 62% adolescents felt anemia symptoms in their life (62% female and 61% male). breathlessness, anorexia,  tiredness, weakness, lack of concentration,  giddiness, are symptoms most commonly felt.

Conclusion: Among adolescents prevalence of anaemia is very high, Hence hemoglobin concentration should be examined periodically and should be recorded in progress report for early recognition of anaemia.  Iron rich food intake should be increased.

Keywords: Adolescent, Anaemia,  Prevalence.

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Dr Sanjeev Kumar

ADD: 32-Arjun Nagar, Balbant Nagar, Thatipur Gird, Gwalior-474011, MP, India

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