Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Drumstick Leaves Powder Supplementation in Prevention of Anemia among Adolescent Girls in Community, Bangalore: An Original Study

Background: Anemia is leading cause of mortality among adolescent girls worldwide. It is necessary to improve the hemoglobin level for preventing anemia. This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of DSLP intervention on anemia among adolescent girls with Iron Deficiency Anemia in community, Bangalore. This study was done with the intention of finding an efficient substitute in the form of non-haem iron of vegetable origin in drumstick leaves by administering as supplementation to treat nutritional anemia. Randomized clinical trial design was used in this study, the target group consisted adolescent girls with mild and moderate anemia. Methods & Materials: The research design selected for this study was true experimental (pre and posttest control group design). The study was conducted in community under Urban Family Welfare Centre, Yeshwantpur, Bangalore. The samples are selected by systemic random sampling technique. Sample size was 60 anemic adolescent girls (10 to 19 years). The instruments used for this study were interview schedule, checklist to identify signs and symptoms of anemia, and Cyanmethemoglobin method to check Hb level, 60 anemic adolescent girls were selected through these instruments and pretest procedure and divided into two groups (Experimental and Control). One teaspoon of DSLP intervention for 30 continuous days was given to the experimental group. At end of the month posttest done for the finding out the effectiveness of DSLP intervention in prevention of anemia among adolescent girls. Result: Revealed that the Experimental group’s pretest mean score of Hb level 10.427(±0.3552) and posttest mean scores of Hb level 10.660 (±0.2978) paired sample t-value 12.042 and DF 29, which is significant at P<0.05 level. It shows the effectiveness of DSLP intervention among adolescent girls with anemia in community, Bangalore. Interpretation & Conclusion: The study findings revealed that there is a significant difference in the pre and posttest Hb level score with drumstick leaves powder intervention (‘t’ value 12.042). Therefore, it is evident that the DSLP intervention is effective in reducing iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls.