A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF NUTRITIONAL ANEMIA AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE, AT BILASPUR, CHHATTISGARH

Abstract

Background: The medical students may also suffer anaemia because of long schedule in college, clinical postings, and extra-curriculum activities. They come from different socio economic, cultural backgrounds and various geographical regions of the country.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted during from 1^st January, 2009 to 28^th February, 2009 among 3^rd year MBBS Students between the ages of 20 to 25 years studying at Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Science (CIMS), Bilaspur. A total of 96 students age ranging 20 to 25 years out of 100 students enrolled in the batch were studied. A structured questionnaire, which include general information, sign and symptoms regarding anaemia, dietary habit, BMI, general physical examination, systemic examination and a TALLQVIST strip for Hemoglobin estimation were carried out.

Results: Anaemia prevalence was 30.20% among medical students. Out of total 96 students 29 students were found anaemic out of which 11 (19%) male students were anaemic. And 18 (47.4%) female students were found anaemic. The cutoff hemoglobin level below 12.0 gm% was considered anaemia. The mean hemoglobin among student was 12.4 gm % with standard deviation of 1.59, variance of 2.54, and median of 12.5.

Conclusion: The studies like present one in the country can highlight the size of the problem i.e. iron deficiency without anaemia which is also called latent iron deficiency among unexpected population i.e. medical students. Iron supplementation is thus required for the target group. Therefore preventive programs and policies of the country can target this age group particularly in educational institutes.