Perspective approach to Nutritional anemia among Medical students using Health Belief Model: A cross sectional study in Tamil Nadu.

Introduction: Anemia is one of the major public health problem more commonly encountered in both developed as well as developing countries1 . Various causes for anaemia are nutritional deficiencies, infectious diseases and chronic blood loss. Nutritional anemia is the most widespread nutritional disorder in the world affecting 500 million to 1 billion individuals4 . The most vulnerable population for nutritional anaemia is Adolescents aged 10-19 years. Most of the anemia initiatives are directed towards maternity and early childhood, there is not much attention shown towards adolescent population. This study was conducted to throw light on attitude towards nutritional anemia among undergraduate medical students by using Health belief model. Study Methodology: This study was conducted in a private medical college at Chengelpet district of Tamil Nadu. 122 students from first year were selected by using universal sampling method. A self administered questionnaire comprising of two parts was used to collect data, first part was general information about the participants and second part were questions under five factors of Health benefit model. Result:Mean value of perceived benefit was 3.2+1.54, perceived barrier was 1.7+0.47, perceived self efficacy was 2.69+1.14 interpersonal influence was 2.45+0.73 and situational influence was 2.26+1.2. Nearly 82.8% had perceived benefit on highest scale, 76.2% had perceived barrier on a moderate scale and 52.5% had perceived self efficacy on a moderate scale. Conclusion: The study participants with high self efficacy were able to overcome the barriers and perceive benefit of reduced risk in acquiring nutritional anaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]