Effectiveness of Dietary Intervention on Iron Deficiency Anemia among Adolescent Girls from selected rural area in Dharapuram

Abstract

Adolescent years are a time of increased growth that is accompanied by increase in appetite and nutritional requirements. Accelerated growth and poor eating habits make the adolescent at risk for poor nutritional health. A study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary interventions on iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls from selected rural areas in Dharapuram. Evaluative approach was used for this study. Pre experimental one group pretest and post-test design was adopted to conduct the study. Conceptual frame work used for the study was revised penders health promotion model (2002). 60 Adolescent girls with hemoglobin level of below 11gm/dl were selected as samples by using Non probability purposive sampling technique. The demographic variables of selected samples were assessed by self-administered questionnaire. The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia was assessed by using observational checklist and the level of hemoglobin was assessed by Sahli’s hemoglobinmeter. Dietary intervention of sweet rice flake ball (50gm) and one gooseberry was given for 30 days, made the samples to consume in front of the researcher. After 30 days of dietary intervention post-test level of hemoglobin and the signs and symptoms were assessed. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that in pretest 53(88.3%) had the signs and symptoms at mild level, 7(11.7%) had moderate level. In post-test 59(98.3%) had signs and symptoms at mild level, 1(1.7%) had moderate level of signs and symptoms among adolescent girls with iron deficiency anemia. The study results revealed that the mean score of pretest and post-test level of hemoglobin among adolescent girls were 8.95(SD±1.13) and 11.24(SD±1.54) respectively. The mean difference was 2.29. The paired ‘t’ value was 13.5. Which was significant at P<0.05 level. Chi - Squre test revealed that the demographic variables like Age (χ2 = 11.29), number of children in the family (χ2 = 20.89) Food habits (χ2 = 10.43), number of days of menstruation (χ2 = 15.62), habit of foot wear while going out (χ2 = 24.12) had significant association with post-test level of hemoglobin among adolescent girls at P<0.05 level. The study concluded that the dietary intervention of sweet rice flake and one gooseberry plays an important role in the improvement of hemoglobin among adolescent girls.