Anemia in adolescent girls in a northern mountainous province of Vietnam: A analytical cross-sectional study among 805 participants.

Background: Anemia negatively affects physical and mental development in adolescent girls, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anemia and its related factors among adolescent girls in a northern mountainous province of Vietnam. Design and methods: A analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 805 adolescent girls in 11 high schools in a mountainous province in Northern Vietnam from September to October 2024. Data were collected via Google Forms, and participants underwent direct anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin (Hb) testing. Anemia is classified based on Hb into four groups: no anemia (>12 g/L), mild (100-119.9 g/L), moderate (70-99.9 g/L), and severe (<70 g/L). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify anemia-related factors. Results: The mean age of the participants was 15.88 ± 0.92 years. The prevalence of anemia was 47.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.7%-50.6%), with mild, moderate, and severe levels accounting for 29.5%, 17.1%, and 0.5%, respectively. Factors associated with increased risk of anemia included poor household (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.34-2.70), use of unsanitary toilets (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.06-2.37), and consumption of milk or milk products less than or equal to 3 times per week (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14-2.29). Factors associated with reduced anemia rates were Kinh ethnicity (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.37-0.83); knowledge of iron-rich foods (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.83). Conclusion: The high prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls and its associated factors highlights the need for targeted interventions focusing on education, sanitation, and iron-rich diets.