Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia Among Adolescent Girls in Secondary Schools in Kano State

Iron deficiency anaemia represents a significant public health burden among adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, with consequences for physical growth, academic performance, and reproductive outcomes. This study investigates the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among female secondary school students aged 12 to 18 years in Kano Municipal and Nassarawa local government areas of Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was adopted, with 360 adolescent girls recruited from six government-owned secondary schools. Haemoglobin concentration was determined using a calibrated HemoCue device, and dietary iron intake was assessed through a quantitative 24-hour dietary recall administered on two non-consecutive days. A structured questionnaire gathered socioeconomic data, menstrual history, and food frequency information. Anthropometric measurements were also taken to classify nutritional status. Results are expected to reveal a high burden of anaemia, driven primarily by inadequate dietary iron intake, low consumption of iron-rich foods, and limited access to iron supplementation programmes. The inhibitory effect of phytate-rich staples on iron bioavailability is also explored. Findings from this study will inform school-based nutrition intervention strategies and targeted supplementation policies for adolescent girls in North West Nigeria. Keywords: iron deficiency anaemia, adolescent girls, Kano State, haemoglobin, dietary iron.