Hemoglobin Concentration and Nutritional Status of Adolescent School Girls in Godey and Degahbor Council Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia.
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Date
2019-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Backgrollnd: Anemia is a global public health problem affecting 24.8% of the world population.
Approximately 50% of cases of anemia are considered to be due to iron deficiency. In Ethiopia,
the prevalence of anemia among the age group 15-19-year-old males and females range }i'om
2.8% to 15% and 9.3 to 34.8, respectively indicating it is mild to moderate public health
problem. Studies and initiatives, unforlUnately, focuses on, prevention of anemia targeting
inji1l1ts, young children, and pregnant and lactating women. However, adolescent girls are
neglected groups despite vulnerable to anemia. The problem is severe in populations }i'om
disadvantage and pastoralist communities.
Objective: To determine hemoglobin concentration and assess nutritional status of adolescent
school girls in Godey and Degahbor council Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia
Methods amI Materials: A school-based cross-sectional study was employed among adolescent
school girls in Godey and Degahbor council Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia. Multi-stage
sampling was selected, study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure
the association between anemia and independent variables with a 95% confidence interval.
Statistjcal ~ignijicance was' dec/al'ed..al p-val71P < 005 111HO An.t.hro Plu\, S·ojI:JMr..e....J1!£lSJlS.e.cLtO' ___ _
calculate body mass index for age z-score and heightfor age z-score and BMf.
Result: The result of the study show that 31.5% were anemic. 43% were underweight. /6.1%
were wasting, and 2.2% of adolescent girls were stunted/ short stature than normal. Family size
2:5 people [(AOR= 1.80), CI :( I.J4, 2.85)] and lack of anemia knowledge [(AOR=1.62) Cl.
(1.01, 2.59)] were independent predictors of anemia.
Conclllsion: prevalence of anemia among adolescent school girls in Godey and Degahbor
council Somali region is a moderate public health problem. Family size 2:5 people and lack of
anemia knowledge were independent predictors of anemia. Therefore, iron-rich and diversified
food consumption, intermillent iron-.folic acid supplementation andfamily planning and nutrition
education awareness at school level should be given attention with particular focus on female
adolescents for improving nutritional slat us and health of adolescent girls.
J(eywords: Anemia, Stunting, wasting, underweight school adolescent girls.
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Anemia, Stunting, wasting, underweight school adolescent girls