INTRODUCTION : Anaemia is a significant global public health issue, particularly in low and middle-income countries,
where nutrient deficiencies result in low haemoglobin levels. Adolescence (ages 10-19) is a crucial growth period, with
1.2 billion adolescents worldwide, many in developing nations like India, which has the largest adolescent population.
According to NFHS -5 Tamil Nadu, prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls is 52.9% and among boys is 24.6%. Our
objective was to estimate the prevalence of anaemia among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years by gender, location and severity
in Tamil Nadu between May 2023 and March 2024.
METHODS : This cross-sectional study utilized secondary data from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive
Medicine (DPHPM), Tamil Nadu, based on health check-up camps held from May 2023 to March 2024 at 2,286 Primary
Health Centres (PHCs) where samples were mobilised from schools and tested using gold standard tests like cell counters
for haemoblobin estimation. Following Anaemia Mukth Bharat Operational Guidelines, severity of anaemia was classified
as mild, moderate, or severe. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (version 24), with protocols in
place to ensure confidentiality.
RESULTS : The overall prevalence of anaemia among adolescents was 48.3%, with 54.4% among females and 41.0% among
males. Prevalence among adolescents identified in Trichy was 84%, while in Dindigul it was 70%. In terms of classification,
severe anaemia accounted for 1.6%, moderate anaemia for 44.4% and mild anaemia for 54.1% of cases.
CONCLUSION : The study highlights a significant prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in Tamil Nadu, particularly
among females and in districts like Trichy and Dindigul. With mild and moderate cases being predominant, there is
an urgent need for targeted interventions particularly for the severe anemia cases immediately. Addressing nutritional
deficiencies is crucial for improving adolescent health outcomes in the region.