© ADR Journals 2014. All Rights Reserved. Socio- demographic Profile and Compliance to Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation among Adolescent Girls in Central Delhi Anuradha Chauhan * , Jitendra Kumar Meena * , Mongjam Megha Chandra Singh * , Jugal Kishore * , Gopal Krishna Ingle * Abstract Adolescence is a vulnerable period in the human life cycle for the development of nutritional anemia, particularly among girls. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an Urban Health Center, in New Delhi with the objectives to find out the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors of iron deficiency anemia along with the study of compliance to weekly iron folic acid supplementation (WIFS). A total of 60 adolescent females (10–19 years old) were included in this study. The study was undertaken from Nov 2013 – Dec 2013 (2 months) using a pre-tested questionnaire containing items to assess the socio- demographic profile, their medical history and past history. After taking their assent, hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated using HemoCue method. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 71.1%. A significant association of presence of anemia was found with lower socio-economic status and non-intake of WIFS. Mean height and weight of subjects with anemia was significantly less in anemic girls than participants without anemia. Significant association of anemia was found with non-consumption of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets (χ2 value – 5.3, p value 0.02). A high prevalence of anemia among adolescent females was found, which was higher in the lower socio-economic strata and those not consuming WIFS. Thus there is a need to strengthen the programme for the prevention of anemia among adolescent girls through nutrition education and anemia prophylaxis. Keywords: Adolescent, anemia, prophylaxis, iron, supplementation. Introduction Adolescence has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the period of life spanning the ages between 10 to 19 years. 1 This is the prime period of life when maximum amount of physical, mental and psychological, and behavioral changes ensue in the human body and this makes them vulnerable to iron deficiency. 2, 3 Girls are more likely to be vulnerable in this period of human life cycle for the development of nutritional anemia, which has been constantly neglected by public health programs. According to Planning Commission report, Government of India (GoI), the prevalence of anemia in women in India is 56.1%. 2 In a family with limited resources, the female child is more likely to be neglected. 4 She is deprived of good food and education, and is utilized as an extra working hand to carry out the household chores. The added burden of menstrual blood loss, normal or abnormal, precipitates the crises too often. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is classified as Mild- Hemoglobin of 11.0-11.9 gm/dl, Moderate- Hemoglobin 8.0-10.9 gm/dl and Severe- Hemoglobin of <8.0 gm/dl in a non pregnant women. IDA leads to cognitive impairment delayed psychomotor development, impaired performance on language skills, motor skills and co- ordination that is equivalent to a 5-10 point deficit in IQ. 5 In the developing world, the prevalence of iron deficiency is high, and this is mainly due to a low intake of bio- available iron. 6 Diets that have a high content of phytate and other modifiers of mineral absorption are associated with an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia. 7 Moreover, the inappropriate dietary habits and low intake of healthy food among adolescents aggravate the condition. Further, anemia in adolescent girls is also associated with factors reflecting poor socioeconomic status * Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India Correspondence to: Dr. Anuradha Chauhan, Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. E- mail: chauhandranuradha@gmail.com