Effect Of Health Education On Anaemia In School-Going Adolescent Girls Undergoing Standardized Supplementation For Anaemia
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Abstract
Background: Anaemia affects nearly two billion people globally, with a prevalence of 54% among adolescent girls in India (NFHS-4). Despite government initiatives such as Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) and Anaemia Mukt Bharat, the burden remains high due to poor compliance, inadequate knowledge, and unhealthy dietary practices. Evidence on the effectiveness of school-based health education interventions in this population is limited.
Aim: To assess the effect of health and nutrition education on anaemia among school-going adolescent girls receiving standardized iron and folic acid supplementation.
Method: A quasi-experimental pre–post interventional study was conducted in two girls’ schools in Pune, India. 160 anaemic adolescent girls (80 intervention, 80 control) received WIFS (100 mg iron + 500 mcg folic acid weekly) for six months. The intervention group additionally received three months of health education (lectures, recipe booklets, counselling). Haemoglobin, knowledge (0–17 score), dietary intake (24-hour recall), and anthropometry were assessed at baseline and endline.
Result: Baseline haemoglobin was comparable between groups (9.25±1.09 vs 9.30±1.00 g/dL). Endline haemoglobin increased significantly more in the intervention group (10.23±1.00 vs 9.72±0.95; mean change +1.00 vs +0.50, p=0.004). Knowledge score improved dramatically in the intervention group (change +10.31 vs +0.37, p<0.001). Calorie, iron, and protein intake improved significantly only in the intervention group (p<0.001). Daily citric food consumption with meals increased from 0% to 25% in the intervention group.
Conclusion: Health and nutrition education combined with iron and folic acid supplementation significantly improves haemoglobin levels, knowledge, and dietary practices among adolescent girls. School-based nutrition education should be strengthened as a cost-effective strategy for anaemia control...