Anemia Among Female Adolescents In Relationship With Malaria, Food Consumption Pattern And Socio Economic Status In Malaria Endemic Areas

Anemia among female adolescents is one of the main nutrition problems in a developing country especially for those who live in malaria endemic areas. This study aims to assess the factors that contribute to anemia among female adolescents in malaria-endemic areas. This study implemented a cross sectional study design in the form of surveys in the regency area, in which in each district villages were chosen in a cluster setting. There were 314 samples of female adolescents involved in this study. Data were collected using questionnaires, malaria anamnesis,blood assessment for haemoglobin, and food consumption frequency questionnaires. Data analysis by chi square test. Results of this study found the prevalence of anemia was 29,9%. In addition, anemia was more prevalent among female adolescents with lack of food variation (33,6% vs 10,2%) (p=0,001). Respondents who has a habit of having breakfast had lower anemia (26,5% vs 44,3%) (p=0,006). Meanwhile, the respondents who had a history of clinical symptoms of malaria in the last three months were twice more likely to have anemia (45,1% vs 27,0%) (p=0,010). Anemia was also more prevalent in the respondents with low family income (32,5% vs 24,8%) (p=0,156). In conclusion, food consumption pattern, breakfast habits, and clinical symptoms of malaria had associations with anemia among female adolescents in malaria endemic areas