A Retrospective Study to Estimate the Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among First Year MBBS Students of Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha, Hisar.

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia is a most common public health problem affecting around 1.9 billion population of the world. It is a severe public health problem in India. Medical students are vulnerable to develop anemia due to irregular eating habits due to hectic study schedule. Anemia among this age group has significant health consequences resulting in poor cognition, decreased attention span and memory affecting the performance, depressed immunity, repeated infections, increased fatigue, and shortness of breath, dizziness, blurred vision, low endurance and irregular menstruation. Material and Methods: This study is conducted among 100 students of both gender taking admission in MBBS first year at MAMC, Agroha. Hemoglobin values and other relevant details of the students were taken from academic section submitted at time of admission. World Health Organization criteria were taken to determine the severity of anemia. Modified B.G. Prasad scale was used to assess the socioeconomic status of the family. Data was first entered into MS excel sheet and then was exported to SPSS version 20.0 for appropriate analysis. Results: Prevalence of anemia came out to be 54% among study subjects. Difference between the mean levels of hemoglobin across the genders came out be statistically significant (P=<0.001). Conclusion: Prevalence of anemia is high among the study subjects with more prevalence among females study subjects. There is a need to accelerate efforts for achieving control of anemia by strengthening multi-sectoral partnership involving government departments, academic institutions, bilateral agencies and food industry.

Anemia and Its Associated Factors among Final-Year Medical Students at Sana'a University, Yemen

“…The significantly higher prevalence among females than males in the present study is consistent with that observed among MBBS students in the first year in northern India. (21) In contrast to the lack of an association between family income and anemia in the present study, Alzaheb et al (22) found significantly higher anemia prevalence (64.0%) among Saudi female university students with median household income. This higher anemia prevalence may be due to the bad quality of food or the limited awareness of healthy foods because many family members prefer eating outside rather than making food at home.…”

Prevalence of anaemia among college going students in India: a systematic review

“…High prevalence of anaemia was observed among medical students at Chattisgarh and Hariyana and anaemia was more common in female medical students as compared to male students. 11,12 A high prevalence of anaemia was observed among undergraduate medical students in Madya Pradesh. 13 A cross sectional study conducted among 3 rd year medical students in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh showed a prevalence of 30.20% and of severe, moderate and mild anaemia was 0.0%, 9.37% and 20.83% respectively.…”

“…High prevalence of anaemia in females is shown in most of studies due to increased iron demands during puberty, menstrual losses, and limited dietary iron intake. 11,12,26,27 Meal skipping, eating away from home, snacking and fast food consumption predispose them to dietary deficiencies. 28,29 Most of the studies found significant correlation of anaemia with BMI (body mass index) as high prevalence in underweight students.…”

“…28,29 Most of the studies found significant correlation of anaemia with BMI (body mass index) as high prevalence in underweight students. 12,17,30 Analysis of socioeconomic status were also done in many studies along with BMI. 12,17,23 16,17 Health consequences of anaemia include increased risk of maternal and foetal mortality in pregnant women, preterm labour, low birth-weight, and infant mortality.…”

“…12,17,30 Analysis of socioeconomic status were also done in many studies along with BMI. 12,17,23 16,17 Health consequences of anaemia include increased risk of maternal and foetal mortality in pregnant women, preterm labour, low birth-weight, and infant mortality. 31 Iron deficiency may impair cellular responses and immune functions and increase susceptibility to infections.…”