Evaluating the effectiveness of an iron deficiency anemia and nutrition educational program in Yerevan

Abstract

Introduction: Iron deficiency is estimated to affect about 66-80% of the world’s population. Over 30% of the world’s population are anemic, mainly due to iron deficiency. Anemia is also a serious public health problem in Armenia. According to different surveys in Armenia, anemia rates among children have increased over the last several years. Anemia can result in behavioral changes, cognitive and mental deficits, and decreased immune function. The most common reason for iron deficiency anemia in infants and children is inadequate supply of iron in the diet. Poor feeding practices in Armenia have a negative impact on the iron status of infants thus leading to high rates of nutritional anemia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of educational handouts on knowledge of mothers of infants 1 to 3 year old about nutrition and iron deficiency anemia. The measurable objective of the program was to increase knowledge and attitudes about iron deficiency anemia and nutrition among participants in intervention group by 10% after one-month educational program. Methodology: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with posttest only comparison group was used. The program was implemented in two pediatric polyclinics in Yerevan which were chosen by convenience. The polyclinics were randomly assigned to the intervention or comparison group. Individual participants were also randomly chosen. The sample size was calculated to be 35 in each polyclinic. The pretest as well as the posttest was conducted through the same self-administered questionnaires. After the pretest all participants received educational handouts. Participants of the study were mothers in Yerevan, who had children aged 1 to 3 year registered in one of the pediatric polyclinics chosen to participate in the study. Results: The study showed increases in knowledge and attitude scores after the distribution of educational materials in the intervention group. The pretest in the intervention group had no effect on the increase of mean knowledge and attitude scores in the posttest. No linear relationships or associations were found between the demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitude scores in both groups. The study also confirmed that complementary feeding practices were poor: the duration of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Nevertheless, children’s daily diet was diverse and was not influenced by the education of mothers. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggested that an educational program distributing printed materials would be effective in increasing knowledge of mothers about iron deficiency anemia and proper nutrition. However, the results of the study showed only the short term effectiveness of the study. Recommendations were developed based on the study findings. Recommendations were done also for assessing the long term effectiveness of the program.