Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia among Primary School Children in Alexandria

Abstract

Anemia is determined by the presence of a hemoglobin level that is below the normal range of values for the population. Iron deficiency is due to the diminished absorbable dietary iron from insufficient intake or excessive loss of body iron from chronic bleeding. Iron deficiency anemia [IDA] is a formidable health challenge in developing countries and remains persistently high despite national programs to control this deficiency. The present study aimed at evaluating the nutrition education program in relation to IDA regarding the immediate impact and the long-term impact [outcome]. A prospective study was conducted in Alexandria Governorate upon the six grade primary pupils. Nutritional screening and assessment were carried out by estimating hemoglobin concentration and anthropometric measurements. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices [KAP] about IDA were studied by pre-test then post-test following sessions of nutritional education. Besides the screening and iron supplementation this research focused on nutrition education intervention program about IDA. The results concerning the outcome revealed that the prevalence of anemia was improved as it became 58.2%; 50.5% for intervention group and 65.2% for control group. Considering the severity of anemia, none of the intervention group was moderately anemic compared to 4% of their control counterparts. Regarding the impact [KAP] of the nutrition education, the present study showed that the median percent changes of knowledge scores about anemia, generally, are statistically significant higher among the intervention group compared to their control counterparts. Moreover, statistically significant correlations between the percent changes of hemoglobin levels and the knowledge scores are found among the intervention group. More than three-quarters [76.2%] of the pupils in the intervention group stated that good nutrition was very important compared to 56.5% of their control counterparts. Among both the intervention and control groups, statistically significant correlations are observed between percent changes of hemoglobin levels and the attitude scales about the importance of good nutrition. Considering the 24 dietary recalls, after the intervention, 82.9% of the intervention group mentioned that they ate two or three food stuffs rich in animal sources of iron daily compared to 38.2% of their control counterparts. Strikingly, about two-thirds [65.7%] of the intervention group mentioned that they ate three or four food stuffs rich in plant sources of iron daily compared to none of their control counterparts. As regards the seven day survey, after the intervention, 21.7% of the control group did not eat any food stuffs rich in animal sources of iron compared to none of their intervention counterparts. Regarding the eaten food stuffs rich in plant sources of iron, the majority of intervention group [91.4%] stated that ate three or four types compared to 37.4% of their control counterparts. As healthy eating can prevent childhood health problems such as iron deficiency anemia, all children should have access to food and nutrition programs that ensure the availability of a safe and adequate food intake that promotes healthy growth, development, and educational progress.