The document discusses anaemia, a public health issue in India characterized by low hemoglobin levels due to iron deficiency and poor nutrition. It highlights the importance of iron in maintaining health, particularly for adolescents, and emphasizes prevention strategies such as dietary improvements and iron supplementation. The role of teachers in monitoring and promoting health practices among adolescents is also outlined, alongside the need for early identification and referral to health facilities for affected individuals.

1. Company
LOGO
Anaemia and its Prevention/
WIFS in J&K
Dr Meenakshi Verma
Associate Programme Manager,
STATE HEALTH SOCIETY,
NRHM, J&K

2. Contents
2 UNDERSTANDING ANAEMIA
13 IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
2 ANAEMIA IN ADOLESCENTS
3 ROLE OF TEACHERS
4 MONITORING

3. ANAEMIA FACTS…..
Anaemia:
Is a blood disorder….critical public health
problem in India.
Means reduced levels of haemoglobin in
the blood.
A manifestation of under-nutrition and
poor intake of iron.

4. Understanding Anaemia…..
Anaemia: Is a blood disorder, means reduced
levels of haemoglobin in the blood.
Human blood contains a pigment- Haemoglobin,
which is rich in iron and it carries oxygen to
different parts of the body.

5. …“Blood means Haemoglobin and
haemoglobin means Iron.”

6. IMPORTANCE OF IRON…..
Iron is a vital part in the production and
performance of haemoglobin and gives
red corpuscles their colour. If iron is not
there in blood in sufficient amount,
insufficient supply of oxygen will occur and
will produce sensations of fatigue,
headaches and shortness of breath.

7. ANAEMIA…..
Defined as qualitative or quantitative deficiency of Hemoglobin
{ Normal Value for female : hemoglobin 12 – 15 gm/dl}
MILD
ANAEMIA
Hb:
10-12
gms/dl
SEVERE
ANAEMIA
Hb:
<= 7
gm / dl
MODERATE
ANAEMIA
Hb:
7.1-9.9
gms/dl

8. WHAT CAUSES ANAEMIA?
NON
NUTRITIONAL
•Conditions like
Malaria.
•Hook- Worm
infestation.
•Heavy or
chronic bleeding
NUTRITIONAL
•Low intake of
iron and folic
acid in diet.
•Dietary
Deficiency of vit.
Esp.Vit. C& B12.
ANAEMIA
CAUSES

9. IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA….
IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA
Inadequate dietary intake against
very high requirement (male 1mg/day
& female 2mg/day)
Intestinal worm infestation
Low content of iron,
Low bio availability of
iron
Inadequate care of
adolescent girls,
menstrual loss, early
onset conception
Lack of access to
health services,
clean water &
sanitation

10. What happens when you become
Anaemic?
SIGNS SYMPTOMS
Pallor/ whiteness of lower
eyelid, skin, nails, palms,
tongue.
Tiredness
Soreness of mouth, with
cracks at the corners.
Not energetic
Leg cramps Feeling of sleepiness
Repeated infections Loss of interest in play and
studies.
Craving for strange
substances such as paper, ice
or dirt (a condition called pica)

11. Cut off levels of Haemoglobin for
diagnosis of Anaemia…..
Age/ Sex Hb Gram/ dl
Children 6 months to 6 years 11
Children 6 years to 14 years 12
Adolescents 15 years -19 years 12
Adult Male 13
Adult Female 12
Adult Female pregnant 11

12. Anaemia In Adolescents…
ADOLESCENTS…..
 Inadequately prepared for life –
 Enter adulthood in poor health -
 Maternal mortality higher for young women- this
adversely impacts national MMR
 Infant mortality higher for young mothers-
 Unintended unwanted pregnancy/unsafe abortion
 Lack of knowledge of STIs, including HIV/AIDS –
 Substance abuse,
 Sexual abuse/violence
 Growth needs – peer pressure, environmental
challenges

13. Anaemia in school going children..

14. How To Identify Anaemia in adolescents:
Pallor of tongue, nail, conjunctiva (lower
eyelids) of eyes, fatigue, weakness,
dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite,
swelling of feet.
If an adolescent looks pale, fatigued or
listless and anaemia is suspected, refer
her or him to the nearest PHC.

15. Prevention and control of anaemia in
adolescents:
Balanced diet rich in iron, vitamins and
minerals.
Foods rich in iron (certainly should be a part of
the meals served in schools and Aganwadi
centres)-
I. green vegetables and fruits, grains (wheat,
jowar, bajra, sprouted pulses, ground nut,
sesame, jaggery, dried fruits).
II. Liver, egg, fish, meat.
III. Vitamin C rich foods (amla, apple, pear,
oranges, lemon) help in absorption of iron.

16. Contd…..
Iron supplementation:
Anaemia in adolescents can be prevented
by regular consumption of iron and folic
acid tablets once a week, ideally 52 tablets
in a year… this is the basis of the WIFS
Programme.

17. Contd…..
Additional interventions:
Prevention of malaria: Clean
surroundings, use of insecticide treated
mosquito net while sleeping helps keep
malaria mosquitoes away from people and
greatly reduces malaria.
Prevention and treatment of hookworm
infestation: De- worming reduces worm
load and blood loss and prevents anemia.

18. Contd…..
Maintenance/ Promotion of Hygiene:
Personal hygiene and sanitation, food hygiene.
Use of clean drinking water can help protect
from various infections and diseases.
Washing hands with soap water before cooking,
consuming food, after defecation and after
discarding faecal matter of a child is essential to
prevent entry of germs into our abdomen
Keeping personal hygiene
Preparing and consuming hygienically treated or
prepared food.

19. Contd…..
Early Identification and Referral:
If anaemia is suspected it is important to
refer the adolescent girl/boy to the nearest
health facility for further examination.

20. Role of Teachers….
 Ensure that all adolescent boys and girls in their
respective classes are given a tablet of IFA once a
week and Albendazole twice a year for de-worming.
 To inform adolescent boys and girls of the correct
dietary practices for increasing iron intake.
 To inform adolescents of the significance of
preventing worm infestation and encourage
adoption of correct hygiene practices, including use
of footwear to prevent worm infestation.
Screening of target groups for moderate/severe
anaemia and referring these cases to an
appropriate health facility.

21. MONITORING……
The nodal teachers would consolidate all
the information from the class reporting
formats on the monthly school-reporting
format (Annexure- 3) and submit it to the
school principal. The school principal will
review the information in the monthly
school reporting format, counter sign it and
submit it to the block level officials on a
monthly basis. A copy of this monthly
school report will also be sent to the ANM.

22. Company
LOGO iron ki ek khurak,
tandrusti ki phuhar
Dr Meenakshi Verma
Associate Programme Manager,
STATE HEALTH SOCIETY,
NRHM, J&K