INTRODUCTION:

Blood accounts for 8% of the human body weight. An average adult has about 5 liters of blood in the body. Blood is composed of plasma and cells called corpuscles. Plasma which constitutes of 55% of blood contains water and dissipates proteins, glucose, mineral ions and hormones. The blood cells are mainly red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

By volume, red blood cells constitute about 45% of whole blood and white blood cells about 0.7%. Anemia is defined as reduction in the volume of blood cells or in concentration of hemoglobin, below the lower limit of the normal range for the age and sex of the individual.¹Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescence girls has been recognized as a special period in their life cycle that requires specific and special attention.

Adolescence constitute a very vital age group being an “entrant” population for parenthood. The status of health during the period is a major determinant of the health and nutrition of her future children. The adolescence experiences markedly accelerated growth during 2 to 3 years growth spurt, dramatic alteration in the adolescence body size and proportion occur. ²Normal level of Hemoglobin level in blood is 14 – 18 gm/dl for men and 12 – 15 gm/dl for women.³

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme to meet the challenge of high prevalence and incidence of anaemia amongst adolescent girls and boys. WIFS is evidence based programmatic response to the prevailing anaemia situation amongst adolescent girls and boys through supervised weekly ingestion of IFA supplementation and biannual helminthic control. The long term goal is to break the intergenerational cycle of anaemia, the short term benefits is of a nutritionally improved human capital. The programme, implemented across the country both in rural and urban areas.⁴

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the prevalence of Anemia and the effectiveness of Weekly Iron and Folic acid Supplementation among adolescent girls and boys in schools in Bangalore.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To assess the prevalence of Anemia among adolescents.

2. To evaluate the effectiveness of weekly Iron and Folic acid Supplementation among adolescent girls and boys in schools in Bangalore.

3. To find out the significant association between the level of prevalence of Anemia and socio demographic variables.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:

H₁:There is a statistically significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores of experimental and control group at the level of p < 0.05.

H₂: There is a statistically significant reduction in the level of prevalence of anemia of subjects after receiving Weekly iron and folic acid supplementation at the level of p < 0.05.

H₃: There is a significant association between the pre-test scores and the selected socio- demographic variables of both experimental and control group at p < 0.05.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

For the present study quasi experimental design with pre-test – post-test having non-equivalent control group was used. The researcher selected Rajarajeshwari School, Bangalore as the setting for the present Study. The researcher had selected this area to conduct research study because of feasibility and easily accessible. Population for the present study comprises of all girls and boys who were studying in 7^th Standard, Bangalore.The sample for the present study subjects selected from Rajarajeshwari School, Bangalore who fulfill the inclusion criteria of this study. The sample size for the present study consists of 40 subjects. In this study, Random Number Table was used for selecting the subjects from the sample frame.

RESULTS:

Section-1: Description of socio-demographic data sheet, clinical profile Proforma and checklist for Anemia symptoms in adolescent school children.

Table 1: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to Age.

N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Age	Category	f	%
	12yr	7	17.5
	13yr	32	80
	14yr	1	2.5

Table no.1 revealed that, in the experimental group, 7 (17.5%) were of age 12 yrs, 32 (80%) were of age 13 yrs and 1 (2.5%) were of age 14 yrs respectively.

Table 2: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to gender.

N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent
Gender	Category	f	%
	Male	20	50
	Female	20	50

Table no. 2 revealed that according to Gender, experimental group had 20 (50%) as Male and 20 (50%) as Female.

Table 3: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students according to Religion.

N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent Experimental
Religion		Respondent Experimental
Religion		f	%
	Hindu	37	92.5
	Muslim	2	5
	Christian	0	0
	Other	1	2.5

Table no. 3 revealed that from the 40 subjects, experimental group had 37 (92.5%) as Hindu, 2 (5%) as Muslim, 0 (0%) as Christian and 1 (2.5%) as other.

Table 4: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to the Type of Family N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Type of Family	Category	f	%
	Nuclear	35	87.5
	Joint	5	12.5
	Other	0	0

Table no.4 revealed that according to type of family, experimental group had 35(87.5%) who lived in the nuclear family whereas 5 (12.5%) who lived in the joint family.

Table 5: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to the Family income per month. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Family income per month	Category	f	%
	Below Rs 15000	14	35
	RS 15000-Rs 20000	16	40
	Above Rs 20000	10	25

Table no.5 revealed that out of 40 subjects, experimental group had family income per month 14(35%) as below Rs 15000, 16(40%) as between Rs 15000 and Rs 20000 and 10(25%) as above Rs 20000 respectively.

Table 6: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to the No of working employee in the family.

N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
No. of working employee in the family	Category	f	%
	2	32	80
	1	8	20
	None	0	0

Table no.6 revealed that out of 40 subjects, experimental group had 32 (80%) as 2 working employee in family and 8 (20%) as 1 working employee in the family respectively.

Table 7: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to the No. of siblings. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
No. of Siblings	Category	f	%
	1	22	55
	More than 1	15	37.5
	None	3	7.5

Table no.7 revealed that, in the experimental group 22(55%) have 1 sibling, 15(37.5%) have more than 1 siblings and 3(7.5%) have none respectively.

Table 8: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to their residence. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Residence	Category	f	%
	Rural	0	0
	Urban	40	100
	Sub urban	0	0

Table no.8 revealed that out of 40 subjects, the experimental group have 40(100%) residing in Urban area.

Table 9: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to the Father’s education. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Father’s Education	Category	F	%
	SSLC	10	25
	PUC	8	20
	Diploma	0	0
	Graduation	4	10
	Uneducated	18	45

Table no. 9 revealed that out of 40 subjects, the Father’s educational Qualification of the Experimental group is that 10(25%) have up to SSLC, 8(20%) have up to PUC, 0(0%) have up to Diploma, 4(10%) have up to Graduation and 18(45%) have no education.

Table 10: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to their mother’s education. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Mother’s Education	Category	F	%
	SSLC	23	42.5
	PUC	3	7.5
	Diploma	0	0
	Graduation	1	2.5
	Uneducated	13	32.5

Table no.10, revealed that out that out of 40 subjects, the mother’s educational Qualification of the Experimental group is that 23(42.5%) have up to SSLC, 3(7.5%) have up to PUC, 0(0%) have up to Diploma, 1(2.5%) have up to Graduation and 13(32.5%) have no education.

Table 11: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to their Father’s occupation. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Father’s occupation	Category	f	%
	Government	6	15
	Private	31	77.5
	None	3	7.5

Table no.11 revealed that, within experimental group Father of 6(15%) have Government job, 31(77.5%) have Private job and 3 (7.5%) are unemployed.

Table 12: Frequency and Percentage Distributions of Adolescent students According to the mother’s occupation. N=40

Characteristics	Category	Respondent (experimental)
Mother’s occupation	Category	f	%
	Government	10	25
	Private	24	60
	None	6	15

Table no 12, revealed that out of 40 subjects, within experimental group Mother of 10(25%) have Government job, 24(60%) have Private job and 6 (15%) are unemployed.

Section II: Assessment of the Level of Anemia before and after receiving WIFAS among experimental group.

Table 13: Assessment of Respondent in Pre-test Level of Anemia in Experimental Group. N=40

Characteristics	category	Respondent Experimental
Level of Anemia		Respondent Experimental
Level of Anemia		f	%
	Normal Hb	20	50
	Mild	12	30
	Moderate	5	12.5
	Severe	3	7.5

Table no 13, revealed that 20(50%) had normal Hb, 12(30%) had mild Anemia, 5(12.5%) had Moderate Anemia and 3(7.5%) had Severe anemia.

Table 14: Assessment of Respondent in Post-test of Anemia in Experimental Group. N=40.

Characteristics	category	RespondentExperimental
Level of Anemia		RespondentExperimental
Level of Anemia		f	%
	Normal Hb
	Mild
	Moderate
	Severe	0	0

Table no 14, revealed 36(90%) had normal Hb , 3(7.5%) had mild Anemia , 1(2.5%%) had Moderate Anemia and 0(0%) had Severe anemia.

Section 3: Compare the Pre-test and Post-test Score of Experimental and Control Group.

Table 15: The Outcome of Paired ‘t’ Test for Pre-test and Post-test in Experimental Group

N=60

Aspects	Max. Score	Pain Scores				Paired ‘t’ Test
Aspects	Max. Score	Mean	SD	Mean (%)	SD (%)	Paired ‘t’ Test
Pre test	10	5.23	2.03	52.3	20.3	9.10*
Post test	10	2.17	1.58	21.7	15.8	9.10*

* Significant at 5% level,

t (0.05, 29df) = 2.045

It revealed that there was significant difference between pre-test and post test scores with paired’t’ test value of 9.10 which is higher than the book value 2.045 showing at the level of p< 0.05. Since there was a significant reduction in the dysmenorrhea pain of subjects after taking fenugreek seed powder at the level of p<0.05. Hence H₁ was retained which stated that there was a significant difference between pre-test and post test scores of control group at the level of p<0.05 as well as H₂was retained which stated that there is a significant reduction in the dysmenorrhea pain of subjects after receiving fenugreek seeds powder at the level of p< 0.05.

Table 16: The Outcome of Paired ‘t’ Test for Pre-test and Post-test in Control Group N=60

Aspects	Max. Score	Pain score				Paired ‘t’Test
Aspects	Max. Score	Mean	SD	Mean (%)	SD (%)	Paired ‘t’Test
Pre test	10	4.63	2.34	46.3	23.4	0.91 NS
Post test	10	4.60	2.30	46.0	23.0	0.91 NS

NS: Non-Significant,

t (0.05, 29df) = 2.045

It showed that there is no significance difference at 5% level (i.e., <0.05) in control group. Although the mean value difference of pre and post-test is not statistically significant with the p value. There was no adequate statistically evidence to reject the hypotheses. Hence the hypothesis H₁ was retained which stated that there was a significant difference between pre-test and post test scores of control group at the level of p<0.05

Table 18: Association Between the Pre - test Scores of Dysmenorrhea pain in Both Experimental and Control Group with Mothers’ Education, Fathers’ Education, Occupation of Father, Occupation of Mother, Family Monthly Income, and Food Habits. N=60

Demographic Variables	Category	Sample	Pain Level						χ ^{2 Value}
			Mild		Moderate		Severe
			N	%	N	%	N	%
Mother education	Primary	9	3	33.3	4	44.5	2	22.2	5.01 NS
	Secondary	17	7	41.2	6	35.3	4	23.5
	High school	13	6	46.1	4	30.8	3	23.1
	PUC	9	2	22.2	4	44.5	3	33.3
	Degree	7	3	42.9	3	42.9	1	14.2
	Post graduate	5	0	0.0	3	60.0	2	40.0
Father education	Primary	9	4	44.5	3	33.3	2	22.2	8.90 NS
	Secondary	11	3	27.3	3	27.3	5	45.4
	High school	14	5	35.7	5	35.7	4	28.6
	PUC	6	4	66.7	2	33.3	0	0.0
	Degree	13	3	23.1	8	61.5	2	15.4
	Post graduate	7	2	28.6	3	42.8	2	28.6
Occupation of Father	Business	22	6	27.3	9	40.9	7	31.8	3.84 NS
	Private	6	1	16.7	3	50.0	2	33.3
	Government	9	3	33.3	4	44.5	2	22.2
	Self employed	12	6	50.0	4	33.3	2	16.7
	Others	11	5	45.4	4	36.4	2	18.2
Occupation of Mother	Home makers	38	13	34.2	13	34.2	12	31.6	7.90 NS
	Business	3	0	0.0	2	66.7	1	33.3
	Private	8	2	25.0	5	62.5	1	12.5
	Self employed	4	3	75.0	1	25.0	0	0.0
	Others	7	3	42.9	3	42.9	1	14.2
Family income/month	< Rs.25,000	18	9	50.0	8	44.4	1	5.6	12.20*
	Rs.25,001-50,000	28	9	32.1	13	46.4	6	21.4
	> Rs.50,000	14	3	21.4	3	21.4	8	57.2
Food habit	Vegetarian	7	0	0.0	2	28.6	5	71.4	11.18*
	Non-vegetarian	23	9	39.1	8	34.8	6	26.1
	Mixed diet	30	12	40.0	14	46.7	4	13.3

* Significant at 5% Level, NS: Non-significant

It revealed that there was a significant association between pre-test scores of experimental and control group with family monthly income and food habits whereas there was no significant association between pre-test scores of experimental and control group with mother’s education, fathers education, occupation of father and occupation of mother. Hence H₃was retained which stated that there is a significant association between the pre-test visual analogue score and the selected socio- demographic variables of both experimental and control group at p < 0.05.

Demographic Variables	Category	Sample	Pain Level						χ ^{2 Value}
			Mild		Moderate		Severe
			N	%	N	%	N	%
Family history of dysmenorrhea	Yes	23	4	17.4	9	39.1	10	43.5	8.41*
Family history of dysmenorrhea	No	37	17	46.0	15	40.5	5	13.5	8.41*
Menstrual bleeding	Mild	10	6	60.0	1	10.0	3	30.0	14.30*
	Moderate	45	15	33.3	22	48.9	8	17.8
	Severe	5	0	0.0	1	20.0	4	80.0
Pain assessment	Daily	10	3	30.0	4	40.0	3	30.0	13.81*
	Often	23	7	30.4	5	21.8	11	47.8
	Rarely	27	11	40.7	15	55.6	1	3.7