Nutritional and Anemia Status of Adolescent Girls in Kintamani, Bangli Based on School Screening Program

Abstract

Background. Adolescent girl is the key population for creating a healthy generation. However, stunting is still being a crucial problem in the community, especially in Bangli, Bali. Studies that focused on stunting in school-aged population is still lacking compared to others age-related population. This study was aimed to describe nutritional status and anemia among adolescent girls in Kintamani, Bangli. Method. This cross-sectional study was held alongside school screening program at two high schools in work area of Kintamani 6 Primary Health Care Centre. All girls aged 12-17 years on the first grade participated in this study. Analysis of nutritional status were done using WHO Anthro-plus software based on WHO Reference 2007. Hemoglobin level was measured by point-of-care testing using strip method with a calibrated device. Result. Total sample of 223 adolescent girls were participated. All numerical data were found in normal limits (Kolmogorov Smirnov test p>0.05). Nutritional status with severe thinness 1 (0.4%), thinness 3 (1.3%), normal 187 (80.6%), overweight 26 (11.2%) and obesity 15 (6.5%). Anemia found in 64 adolescents with 32 (13.8%) equal numbers for both mild and moderate anemia (Hb level: 11.0-11.9, 8.0-10.9, respectively). In adolescent girls affected by anemia, 18.7% were facing nutritional problems either under or overnutrition. Conclusion. Double burden of malnutrition and anemia still being health problems among adolescent girls in Indonesia, especially Kintamani. Evidence-based interventions were needed for raising the awareness among adolescent girls who once will be future mother regarding a healthy diet and the importance of taking iron supplementation routinely.