Iron-deficiency anemia among adolescents: A global public health concern

Abstract

Iron deficiency Anemia is a global public health concern. We aim to assess a national program for Weekly Iron and Folic-acid Supplementation (WIFS) to address this concern among adolescents in India. A longitudinal interventional community-based study was conducted with 1100 school-going adolescents. A questionnaire regarding socio-demographic profile, anthropometric details, and clinical examination, hemoglobin levels, and WIFS supplementation were conducted to collect information at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The mean age of adolescents was 13.7 years. Anemia among students reduced from 95.8% to 75% post-intervention. The mean level of hemoglobin was 9.69 g/dL at 0 months and improved to 11.29 g/dL at 12 months for adolescents. The prevalence of anemia reduced significantly with WIFS over one year. Education and awareness for dietary diversification, increasing bioavailable iron, fortified food for full-term infants and children, and additional supplements are crucial to prevent iron deficiency anemia.