PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AMONG ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LIVING IN GORGORA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Anemia may be defined as a state in which the level of hemoglobin in the blood is below that which is expected, taking into account both age and sex (1). Patients with anemia have significant reduction of red cell mass and a corresponding decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Normally blood volume is maintained at a nearly constant level, therefore anemia entails a decrease in the concentration of red cells or hemoglobin in peripheral blood. The presence of symptoms related to anemia depend partly on this severity but also on how rapidly the anemia has appeared.

The purposes of this investigation were to determine the point prevalence rate of anemia among elementary and high school students and to identify important determinants of its occurrence among students residing in Gorgora (south Gonder). This study is not aimed at identifying anemia of specific causes, but will use technol-ogies appropriate to the field situation and search among risk factors known to be prevalent in the region.