Parasitosis with Anemia and Nutritional Status Among Adolescent Girls

The investigation was conducted during the period of 2006 to 2009 on intestinal parasitosis, anemia, malnutrition and reproductive health of the adolescent girls living in rural, urban and slum areas of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The risk factors require for the transmission of parasites are prevailed in the communities. About one third (33.50%) of the adolescent girls were found to be infected with protozoan and helminth parasites. The girls aged 12-13 years were more vulnerable for the parasitic infestation. Anemia was significantly associated with parasitic infestation and reproductive health of the adolescent girls and it was reported 32.22% among the adolescent girls. Among the anemic cases, 39.52% was infested with parasites against 30.63% non anemic cases. Percentage of anemia was higher (46.74%) among married girls than unmarried girls (29.15%). The cases of anemia observed highest among pregnant girls of 14-15 years age category. Consumption of animal proteins was alarmingly lower among the girls. Body Mass Index (BMI) of the infected groups was lower than those of the non infected groups