Despite national and international initiatives to eliminate health challenges, Iron
Deficiency Anemia (IDA) still a major wellbeing concern in underdeveloped nations; a
project of 100 million health initiative was started to detect non-communicable disorders
such IDA early. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of evidence-based iron
deficiency anemia prevention program among primary school students according to 100
million health initiative. Research design: A quasi-experimental design was employed in
this study. Setting: Seven Benha City Governmental Primary Schools served as research
sites from the 108 schools that distributed into 7 sectors; one school was chosen at random
from each sector. Sample: 190 primary school students were chosen using a systematic
random selection. Tools of data collection: There were 3 tools employed. I: A structured
interviewing questionnaire that asked about: (a) school students' demographics, (b) family
history, medical conditions and the girls' menstrual history; and c) their knowledge
regarding iron deficiency anemia and 100 million health initiative. II: Practices of primary
school students regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia. III: Attitude scale for IDA
prevention. Results: Before the program was implemented, 4.2% of school students had
average knowledge about IDA and the 100 million health initiative, which improved to
77.9% after the program was implemented; 8.9% of them had satisfactory practices
regarding IDA prevention, which improved to 64.2% after the program was implemented;
and 7.4% of them had a positive attitude regarding prevention of IDA before the program
was implemented, which improved to 77.4% after the program was implemented.
Conclusion: Evidence-based iron deficiency anemia prevention program significantly
improved the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of primary school students'.
Recommendations: Continuing evidence-based iron deficiency anemia prevention
program for primary school students to increase their knowledge and practices to prevent
iron deficiency anemia. |
