Author/Authors :
Teni، Mohammed نويسنده Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia , , Shiferaw، Solomon نويسنده Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, School
of Public Health, Ethiopia , , Asefa، Fekede نويسنده School of Public Health, Collage of Health and Medical
Sciences, Haramaya University, Ethiopia ,
Abstract :
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. 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. 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. 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.
