Article:
Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia among Adolescent Girls in Rural Nepal

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creativeworkseries.issn1999-6217
dc.contributor.authorBhandari, Tulsi Ram
dc.contributor.authorChapagain, Nawaraj
dc.contributor.authorPaudel, Shishir
dc.contributor.authorNagila, Amar
dc.contributor.authorPanta, Sushil
dc.contributor.authorOjha, Jenny
dc.contributor.authorThapa, Yoko Oda
dc.contributor.authorSakai, Hiroko
dc.date.accessioned2026-08-18T06:04:20Z
dc.date.available2026-08-18T06:04:20Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.descriptionTulsi Ram Bhandari Faculty of Health Science, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath, Nepal Nawaraj Chapagain Nutrition Research Project of Kansai Medical University, Japan, in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski, Nepal Shishir Paudel National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Amar Nagila Faculty of Health Science, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath, Nepal Sushil Panta Faculty of Health Science, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath, Nepal Jenny Ojha Faculty of Health Science, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Lekhnath, Nepal Yoko Oda Thapa Nutrition Research Project of Kansai Medical University, Japan, in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski Hiroko Sakai Faculty of Nursing, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
dc.description.abstractAbstract: Background: Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and increased nutritional requirements, making girls in low- and middle-income countries, such as Nepal, vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia. In rural areas of Nepal, menstrual blood loss, poor diet, and socio-cultural barriers all increase this risk. Despite national programs, anemia remains a major public health concern, affecting cognition, immunity, and future reproductive health. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of nutritional status, including anemia, in adolescent girls. Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from July to August 2024, with 501 adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years, using a census method in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kaski, Nepal. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews, anthropometric assessments, and blood tests. BMI-for-age z-scores (BAZ) were computed using WHO Anthro-Plus, and anemia was categorized based on laboratory-established ferritin guidelines. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the ????2 test, and logistic regression (p < 0.05). Results: Considering ferritin (< 40.7 ng/mL) and hemoglobin (?12 g/dL), the prevalence of anemia was found to be 67.6% and (?12 g/dL), respectively. Maternal education, family type, and parental marital status were found to be significantly associated with anemia (p<0.05). Similarly, ethnicity, maternal education, and family type were found statistically associated with nutritional status (p <0.05). Conclusions: The study highlighted a concerning magnitude of anemia among adolescent girls in rural Nepal, with two-thirds being anaemic. The findings underscore that nutritional deficiencies are not merely biological issues but are deeply rooted in social and educational determinants such as maternal education, family structure, and ethnicity. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive approach such as strengthening nutrition education, promoting iron-rich diets, ensuring regular screening, and enhancing maternal awareness through community and school-based programs to effectively reduce anemia and improve adolescent health outcomes. Keywords: Adolescent girls; adolescent health; anemia; obesity; overweight.
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v24i01.4632
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14572/7332
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherNepal Health Research Council
dc.subjectAdolescent health
dc.subjectUnderweight
dc.subjectOverweight
dc.subjectObesity
dc.subjectAnemia
dc.subjectadolescent girls
dc.titlePrevalence and Determinants of Anemia among Adolescent Girls in Rural Nepal
dc.typeArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication
local.article.typeOriginal Article
oaire.citation.endPage12
oaire.citation.startPage1
relation.isJournalIssueOfPublicationa1c63b20-6d6e-4473-9408-632d1b427f81
relation.isJournalIssueOfPublication.latestForDiscoverya1c63b20-6d6e-4473-9408-632d1b427f81
relation.isJournalOfPublication40bd2739-8b19-447c-be60-723a1bdd1dcd

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