SUY DINH DƯỠNG VÀ THIẾU MÁU Ở HỌC SINH THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH

Abstract

The survey aims to determine stunting, wasting, and anemia status in school students in HCMC. Methods: A cross-sectional survey in 11072 school students in primary schools, junior-high schools, and high schools in HCMC to assess stunting and wasting status. Among them, 2012 subjects were taken blood to analyze hemoglobin. Stunting and wasting were classified as height for age < -2SD (stunting) and BMI for age <-2SD (wasting) based on WHO 2017 reference. Anemia was classified as Hb < 11.5 g/dl in 6-11 years old children, Hb < 12 g/dl in 12-14 years old adolescents and ≥15 years old school girls, Hb < 13g/dl in ≥15 years old school boy. Results: The prevalence of stunting and wasting in school students of HCMC in 2014 were 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively; highest in high school students (7.8% and 5.8%, respectively). Anemia prevalence was 3.2%, highest in high school girls (7.5%). Percentage of anemia was higher in stunting subjects compared to not stunting ones, 9.6% vs. 2.8%, p<0.01. Conclusions: Anemia in high school girls of HCMC is a public health problem at mild level. Nutritional anemia prevention program needs to be continued to provide iron supplements to this group. Screening for anemia status in stunting children is recommended.