Volume : 4, Issue : 8, August - 2015

LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ON PREVENTION OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCY AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Ms. R. Kavitha, Ms. Jeenu Sabu, Mrs. Vinili Simpson

Abstract :

<p>Approximately 99% of total body calcium is found in the skeleton. Bone mass accrual continues from infancy through to early adulthood until peak bone mass is calcium intake is important for bone health throughout the lifespan and for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in later years. Calcium intake of children and adolescents in Asia, especially in India, is relatively low in comparison to their Western counterparts. Various studies from India report low calcium intake and hypocalcaemia among young girls, emphasizing the importance of increasing calcium intake in children and adolescents. Hence this study was aimed to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of calcium deficiency among adolescent girls. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of calcium deficiency among adolescent girls and to associate the knowledge level with selected demographic variables. The study was conducted in the Mahabalipuram village. A non- experimental descriptive research design was used. A total of 30 samples were selected by using systematic random sampling. The knowledge level of the samples was assessed using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study results revealed higher proportion (90%) of adolescent girls are having inadequate knowledge regarding prevention of calcium deficiency, there is also a significant relationship between age, religion, occupational status of mother and their knowledge score at the level of p&lt;0.005. The study concludes that the nurse working at primary health centre should educate the adolescent girl during her school health programmes. Periodic health awareness camps should be organized at the village level targeting the adolescent girls. These awareness programmes will help to improve the knowledge among adolescent girls</p>