A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAM ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH MAIN OBJECTIVES TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURE TEACHING PROGRAM ON IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Introduction Iron is an important micronutrient which is Very Important for various functions in human body. It is essential for cellular growth and differentiation, oxygen binding, transport and storage, enzymatic reactions, Immune function, cognitive function, mental and physical growth etc. So, deficiency of iron due to either physiological or pathological reason can affect mental and physical growth resulting in decreased learning capacity and work productivity. Iron Deficiency Anemia is characterized by a defect in hemoglobin synthesis, resulting in hypochromic and microcytic red blood cells. Iron deficiency can result either due t o less nutritional supply, increased demand or blood loss due to any reason. Anemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children, Adolescent and pregnant women. Although ID A occurs at all ages and Involves both sexes, adolescent girls are more prone to it. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined adolescents as the population of 10-19 years of age. About three fourth of adolescent girls do not meet the dietary requirements.Majority of the adolescents think that they are in goo d health and show little concern for protecting their health.The main nutritional problems of adolescents are micronutrient deficiencies like Iron deficiency, fol ate and vit.A. According to a study by WHO on anaemia during 1993,2005, the worldwide prevalence of anaemia was 25%. According to WHO guidelines for t he control of IDA, nutritional anaemia is a major public health problem in India and is primarily due to iron deficiency.