study to assess the Knowledge of Adolescent Girls Regarding the Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Selected  Rural Areas of Mysore with a View to Develop an Information Booklet on Prevention and Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia

 

Mr. Chandrasekhar M1, Mr. Vishakantamurthy D G2, Mr. Prasannakumar D R1,

Mr. Muruli mohan A2

1Assistant Professor, JSS College of Nursing, Mysore

2Assistant Lecturer, JSS College of Nursing, Mysore

*Corresponding Author Email:

 

ABSTRACT:

Anemia is the reduction in the quantity of the oxygen carrying pigment, hemoglobin in the blood. It is one of the major health problems seen among the adolescent girls. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls. 100 samples from selected rural areas of Mysore were selected using non probability convenient sampling. Data collection tool consisted of a personal profile and a structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls. Content validity of the tool was established in consultation with subject experts. Reliability of the tool was done by using split half technique and the tool was found reliable. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that maximum number of adolescent girls is having average knowledge regarding the prevention of iron deficiency anemia. It is found that the association between the level of knowledge of adolescent girls regarding the prevention of iron deficiency anemia is statistically not significant with their age, education, education of the parents, dietary pattern, previous information, type of family, religion and number of children in the family but there is an association between the family income and knowledge of adolescent girls. From the study it can be interpreted that majority of adolescent girl's knowledge regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia is nearly average. From this study we found that there is a necessity to improve knowledge, so we have given the information booklet regarding the same.

 

KEYWORDS:

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Health is a fundamental human right and health is central to the concept of quality of life. It is a general Condition of a person in all aspects and also it is a resource for everyday life. Health is a positive concept Emphasizing social and personal resources as well as physical capacities. According to WHO,

 “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”1

 

Anemia is a major health problem worldwide and is often ignored in both developed and developing countries. Adolescence is defined by WHO as period of life spanning the age between 10-19 years which is a period where both physical as well as psychological changes occurs. Iron requirement peak during adolescence due to rapid growth and increase in blood volume. Though this vulnerable period has been focused by existing program me it has to be constantly enhanced to offset the added burden like menstrual blood loss which precipitates the crisis often. In developing countries parasitic infections and other infectious disease are more common which peaks the requirement of iron in human body.2

 

OBJECTIVES:

·         To assess the knowledge regarding the prevention of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls.

·         To determine the association between the knowledge level of adolescent girls regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia and their specific personal variables such as age, education, education of the parents, family income, dietary pattern, religion, previous information, type of family and number of children in the family.

 

HYPOTHESES:

H0: There will not be significant association between the level of knowledge regarding the prevention of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls and their specific personal variables.

H1: There will be significant association between level of knowledge regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls and their specific personal variables.

 

ASSUMPTIONS:

Assumptions of the study are:-

1. Adolescent girls will have some knowledge regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia.

2. Adolescent girls need education regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia; hence health status of the girls can be maintained.

 

VARIABLES OF THIS STUDY

The variables of the study were:

·         Knowledge regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia.

·         Age, income, education, education of parents, family income, dietary pattern, religion, previous information, type of family and number of children in the family.

 

DELIMITATIONS:-

The study is delimited to:

1. Adolescent girls between the ages 12 -19years.

2. To adolescent girls in selected rural areas of Mysore District

 

CONCEPTUAL/THEORETICAL FRAME WORK:

The conceptual work of this study was drawn on the basis of the concepts in Pender's Health Promotion Model. The revised Health Promotion Model contains three components.

 

1.        Individual characteristics and experiences

2.        Behavior specific cognition and

3.        Behavioral outcome

 

METHODOLOGY:

RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN

The research approach indicates the basic procedure for conducting research. Based on the nature of the problem and the objective of study a descriptive study approach was selected for this study.3

Descriptive approach helps the researcher to describe and document this aspect of phenomena as it naturally occurs.

 

Study refers to non experimental research that focuses on obtaining information regarding the knowledge of adolescent girls via structured questionnaire of a sample of respondent.

 

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

Settings are more specific places where data collection will occur .This study was conducted in selected rural areas of Mysore. This setting was selected because of availability of sample, feasibility of conducting this study, investigations, and familiarity of setting. 3

 

POPULATION:

The population referred to the entire aggregates of person /subject in which researcher is interested. In the present study population comprises of adolescent girls from selected rural areas of Mysore. 

 

SAMPLE:

A sample is the subset of population selected to participate in the research study.3 The sample of this study comprises adolescent girls (12-19 years) in the selected rural area of Mysore District.

 

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

Sampling is a process of selecting a problem of population to represent the entire population. Non- probability convenience sampling technique was used to select adolescent girls to this study. Convenience sampling is the selection of most conveniently available person as study participants, to assess the knowledge of adolescent girls regarding iron deficiency anemia in selected rural areas of Mysore.

 

INSTRUMENT USED FOR THE STUDY:

Selection and Development of Data Collection Tools:-

Instrument in a research study is the device used to collect the data. The research approach adopted in the study provided basis for data collection using a structured questionnaire.

 

 

The following tools were used for this study:

1.        Personal profile Performa

2.        Structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge among adolescent girls regarding iron deficiency anemia in selected rural areas of Mysore.

 

TOOL:

Structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge

 

SECTION I:

PERSONAL PROFILE

The personal profile was developed by the researcher to collect the data regarding the selected personal variables of adolescent girls in selected area in Mysore. This form the section I of the tool and contained basic information about the adolescent girls in selected  rural area in Mysore, via age , education, education of  parents, family income, dietary pattern, religion, previous information, type of family and number of children in the family.

 

SECTION II:

Structured questionnaire is used to assess the knowledge among adolescent girls regarding iron deficiency anemia. The structured questionnaire was developed by the researcher with the interaction to assess the knowledge of samples regarding iron deficiency anemia. The steps adopted for the selection of items preparations of the questionnaire used as follows:

·          Review of research and books related to iron deficiency anemia.

·         Experts’ opinion and suggestion to decide on the area to be included.

·         A blue print was prepared and knowledge items were developed for the structured questionnaire.

 

The blue print include the following area viz definition and meaning, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic measures, prevention, management and complications of iron deficiency anemia. There were four options to choose, from which the participant have to choose the one best option by putting tick mark on it. The total knowledge score ranges from 0-30. The tool was further divided arbitrarily as poor (0-10), average (11-20), good (20-30).

 

PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLECTION:

Before the actual collection of data, the investigators met the authority of selected rural areas of Mysore to obtain permission to conduct the study in order to obtain a free and true response. The selected subjects were explained about the purpose and usefulness of the study and assurance about the confidentiality of responses was also provided. A written consent to participate in the study was obtained.

 

PLAN OF DATA ANALYSIS:-

SECTION I

Table 1. Frequency and percentage distribution of adolescent girls, according to their specific Personal Variables.

Demographic variables

Frequency

Percentage

Age in years

13

14

15

 

55

33

12

 

55%

33%

12%

Religion

Hindu

Muslim

Christian

 

91

8

1

 

91%

8%

1%

Education

8th

9th

10th

 

51

35

14

 

51%

35%

14%

Family income

Up to 5000

5001-10000

Above 10000

 

51

24

25

 

51%

24%

25%

Type of family

Single

Joint

 

53

47

 

53%

47%

Education of the parents

Primary

High school

No formal education

 

51

46

3

 

51%

46%

3%

Dietary pattern

Vegetarian

Mixed

 

19

81

 

19%

81%

Number of children

Single

Two

More than two

 

5

45

50

 

5%

45%

50%

Previous information

Yes

No

 

30

70

 

30%

70

 

SECTION II

Frequency and percentage distribution, according to level of knowledge among adolescent girls. Mean median and standard deviation of knowledge scores of adolescent girls regarding iron deficiency anemia.

 

TABLE 2. Frequency and percentage distribution of adolescent girls according to their level of knowledge

KNOWLEDGE

FREQUENCY

PERCENTAGE

POOR

26

26%

AVERAGE

68

68%

GOOD

6

6%

 

 

 

SECTION III:

Association of knowledge and their specific personal variables.

Demographic variable

Mean Knowledge score

Χ2

Df

Table value

Level of significance

Age in year

13

14

15

Religion

Hindu

Muslim

Christian

Education

8th

9th

10th

Family income

<5000

5001-10000

>10000

Type of family

Nuclear

Joint

Education of parents

Primary

High school

No formal education

Dietary pattern

Vegetarian

Mixed

No. of children

Single

Two

More than two

Previous information

Yes

No

 

12.69

13.6

11.41

 

12.72

12.62

12

 

12.6

12.54

11.66

 

13

11.36

11.4

 

13.27

12.30

 

12.83

11.9

12.33

 

11.68

12.75

 

13.25

12.24

12.84

 

11.73

12.85

 

2.868

 

 

 

1.68

 

 

 

1.972

 

 

 

 

24.65

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

4.962

 

 

1.967

 

 

1.21

 

 

 

3.46

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

 

2

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

9.49

 

 

 

9.49

 

 

 

9.49

 

 

 

 

9.49

 

 

5.99

 

 

 

9.49

 

 

5.99

 

 

9.49

 

 

 

5.99

 

NS

 

 

 

NS

 

 

 

NS

 

 

 

 

S

 

 

NS

 

 

 

NS

 

 

NS

 

 

NS

 

 

 

NS

 

 

 

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:

·         Findings of the present study show that majorities 54 (54%) adolescent girls were in the age group of 13 years.  The least numbers of adolescent girls 12 (12%) were in the age group of 15 years of age. These findings were supported by the other research studies.

·         Findings of the present study shows that maximum number of adolescent girls 91 (91%) of them were belongs to Hindu religion and least 1 (1%) of them are belongs to Christian religion. Similar finding were supported by other research studies.

·          Findings of the present study shows that maximum number of adolescent girls, 53 (53%) of them were belongs to joint family and least number of adolescent girls which is 47 (47%) belongs to nuclear family. The findings were supported by other research studies.

·          Findings of the present study shows that maximum number of adolescent girls 53 (53%) are studying in eighth standard, the least number 12(12%) are in tenth standard. These findings were supported by other research studies.

·          Findings of the present study shows that maximum member of 51 (51%) of them were having the family income of rupees within 5000, the least numbers of 24 (24%) them were having family income of rupees 5000-10,000. These findings were supported by other research studies.

·         Findings of the present study shows that maximum member of 40 (40%) of them belongs to the family with more than two children, the least number of 24 (24%) of them belongs to the family with 1 child. These findings were supported by other research studies.

·         Findings of the present study shows that maximum member’s parents of 53(53%) of them were having primary education, the least of the member’s parents 3(3%) of them were illiterate. These findings were supported by other studies.

·          Findings of the present study shows that maximum members of 79 (79%) of them were having mixed diet (both vegetables and non vegetables), least of them 21 (21% of them   are vegetarian. These findings were supported by other studies.

·          Findings of the present study shows that maximum number of 69 (69%) of them didn’t have any previous information, the least of them have got the 31 (31%) previous information through television. These findings were supported by other studies.

 

·         Majority of the adolescent girls were having average knowledge regarding the prevention and management of iron deficiency anemia.

·         There was an association between the level of knowledge and income of the family, but there was no association between the level of knowledge with age, education, education of the parents, dietary pattern, religion, previous information, type of family and number of children in the family.

 

CONCLUSION:

The present study aimed to assess the knowledge of adolescent girls regarding the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in selected rural areas of Mysore with a view to develop an information booklet on the prevention and management of iron deficiency anemia .

 

Collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in the form of tables and graphs. Mean, median and standard deviation were used to compare the mean knowledge regarding the prevention of iron deficiency anemia. The mean knowledge score of adolescent girls is 12.58.

 

 Chi-square was computed to find out the association between the knowledge level of adolescent girls and their specific personal variables. There was significant association found between the knowledge and the income of the family. But there was no significant association between knowledge with age, education, education of the parents, family income, dietary pattern, religion, previous information, type of family and number of children in the family.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Keeping in view of the findings of the present study, the following recommendations were made:

1.        A similar study may be conducted on a large sample for wider generalization.

2.        A study can be conducted to explore the factors influencing the knowledge of adolescent girls regarding prevention and management of iron deficiency anemia.

3.        An experimental study can be conducted to determine the effectiveness of planned teaching programme for adolescent girls regarding the prevention and management of iron deficiency anemia.

4.        Study can be conducted to compare rural and urban population

 

REFERENCE:

1.        A Partha Sarathy, MKC Nair, PSN Menon. IAP Text Book of Paediatrics.3rd edition. Jaypee; 1999: page no: 614-616.

2.        R. Marlow. Text Book of Paediatric Nursing. 3rdedition. W.B. Saunders Company: 1998: Page No: 649-652.

3.        Sharma S K. Nursing research and statistics. 1st edition. Haryana. Reed Elsevier India private limited; 2001 pp:56-57.

 

 

 

Received on 30.06.2015          Modified on 25.07.2015

Accepted on 22.08.2015          © A&V Publications all right reserved

Asian J. Nur. Edu. and Research 6(1): Jan.- Mar.2016; Page 74-78

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2016.00015.X