AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE COMPLIANCE AND OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH NATIONAL DEWORMING PROGRAMME, IRON AND FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDED TO SCHOOL CHILDREN
Dr. Basavanna P. L.*, Dr. Rosy Raju and Dr. Shambhavi K.
ABSTRACT
Anemia is one of the prevailing nutritional health problems in adolescent boys and girls affecting worldwide. Deworming and iron supplementation are critical components of many school health programmes to prevent anaemia among school children. The aim of this study is to assess the compliance rate, reasons for non compliance and outcomes of national deworming programmes and iron supplements provided in 4 government schools. A total of 400 students were included in the study. All relevant data were collected and documented in a pretested, predesigned and semi structured questionnaire. About 54.2% were girls and 45.8% were boys. About 67.7% of students reported to consume 6 tablets per week regularly and 32.3% were considered to be non compliant. Among 129 children, the reasons quoted for non compliance were 40.3% side effects, 6.9% absentees, 12.4% powdery tablets, 6.4% not prescribed by the doctor and 34.1% unpalatable. In this study about 69.8% of students reported an improvement in sense of well being, reduction in tiredness and weight gain as major benefits from the consumption of iron and folic acid tablets. Thus, the National deworming program, Iron and folic acid supplementation ensured good compliance among school children.
Keywords: Deworming, compliance, iron and folic acid supplements, adolescent.
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