Screening for Anemia among School-going Adolescents using a Digital Hemoglobinometer in Rural Dehradun District

Background: Despite sustained governmental initiatives, anemia continues to be a public health concern among Indian adolescents. Aims and Objectives: To screen school-going adolescents for anemia and to assess utilization of Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)-related services. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 school-going adolescents from selected schools within the rural field practice area of a medical college under a primary health center. Data were collected by personal interviews using a pretested tool. Hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated from capillary blood using a digital hemoglobinometer (HemocueHb 301). Malnutrition was assessed using standard growth charts. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Results: 39.1% of adolescents were found anemic. Three-fourths had never undergone routine anemia screening. Among those screened, most had annual testing, often via venous samples in private facilities, with out-of-pocket expenditure—contrary to AMB guidelines. Although most reported deworming in the past year, the majority had not received prophylactic IFA supplementation in the preceding week. Among those who did, only two-thirds consumed blue IFA tablets provided free through government facilities. Less than 10% were found stunted and wasted. Conclusion: A substantial anemia burden persists among adolescents, with poor utilization of AMB services, reflecting concerning state-level trends.