Data collection
A pre- and post-intervention test on knowledge and attitudes about
anaemia was conducted with participating adolescents before and after
the education sessions. A structured pretested Knowledge Assessment
Questionnaire with a maximum score of 18 was administered in Kannada.
Post-intervention testing was conducted approximately 1-2 weeks after
the last classroom session. In addition, post-intervention in-depth
interviews (IDIs) with seven teachers and six focus group discussions
(FGDs) with students, two in each district (one for girls and one for
boys), were conducted to elicit information and opinions about how the
intervention was carried out, including the strong and weak points of
the educational methods used.
Data analysis
For quantitative data, descriptive statistics including means, standard
deviations, percentages, and frequencies were used to illustrate
respondents’ characteristics and intervention participation. Pre- and
post- knowledge scores were calculated, and paired t-tests were used to
determine significant changes in knowledge scores after the
implementation of the intervention. The score obtained was also
categorized as low (score between 0–5), medium (score between 6–11),
and high (score between 12–18). Statistical analyses were done using
the statistics programme STATA 17.0
(www.stata.com). Qualitative data was
analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Transcripts were read by
team members to develop separate coding framework for FGDs and IDIs,
based on the topic guides. Coded sections were reviewed to generate
themes, and team discussions were held to cross-check findings.