Publication:

Prevalence of anemia and its impact on scholastic performance among school-going children in Sangareddy, Telangana: a cross-sectional study

Background Childhood anemia may impair attention, memory and learning. This study assessed the prevalence of anemia among school-going children in Sangareddy and its association with scholastic performance.

Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, 382 children aged 4-15 years were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department and participating schools over 18 months (2024 June to 2025 November). Demographic details, clinical findings, hemoglobin levels and annual school marks were recorded. High scholastic performance was defined as annual marks ≥60%. Associations were analysed using chi-square test, Pearson correlation and multivariable logistic regression.

Results Anemia was present in 168/382 children (44.0%): 126 (33.0%) had mild anemia and 42 (11.0%) had moderate anemia. Rural children had higher anemia prevalence than urban children (49.1% vs 37.5%; p=0.031). High performance increased from 45.2% in moderate anemia to 72.9% in children with normal hemoglobin (chi-square=16.40, p<0.001). Hemoglobin correlated positively with annual marks (r=0.205, p<0.001). Normal hemoglobin independently predicted high scholastic performance (adjusted OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.43-3.41; p=0.001).

Conclusions Anemia was common and significantly associated with poorer scholastic performance. School-based screening, nutrition education, iron supplementation and deworming may improve health and educational outcomes.