Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023 Aug;56:36-42. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.04.024. Epub 2023 Apr 29.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Iron deficiency anemia is a major health problem in female adolescents; so, the iron supplementation program has been implemented in Iranian female high school students for nearly two decades. This study aimed to assess the barriers and facilitators of the program.
This cross-sectional study was conducted by cluster random sampling with a sample size of 399 high school girls from the northern, southern, eastern, western and central regions of Iran. To collect data, we applied valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 software using the chi-squared test.
From the students' point of view, the most important reasons for not taking iron supplements were the bad taste of iron supplements, nausea after consumption, and not prescription of the iron supplement by physicians. Most the students believed that inviting health care professionals and movies or clips had the greatest impact on encouraging students to take supplements. About 45% of students reported that educational programs were not held for them, and only 28% of students received educational content/educational media about iron supplement. Also, 71% of students reported that there are not enough glasses for the consumption of supplement iron. There were significant relationships between iron supplements distributors (deputy assistant: 22.6% vs. 14.1%, P = 0.045), allocated enough time to intake iron supplements (72.0% vs. 37.1%, P < 0.001), implemented the educational program in schools (61.8% vs. 33%, P < 0.001), and the educator person of the program (health teachers: 42.7% vs. 35.7%, P = 0.039) with consumption of iron supplement by the students.
To achieve the goals of the program, it is necessary paying attention to various aspects of the program such as providing better quality iron supplements, providing more appropriate environmental conditions, designing more attractive training programs, strengthening general announcement, and employing more experienced executive staff.
缺铁性贫血是女性青少年的一个主要健康问题；因此，近二十年来，伊朗一直在为女高中生实施补铁计划。本研究旨在评估该计划的障碍和促进因素。
本横断面研究采用整群随机抽样，样本量为 399 名来自伊朗北部、南部、东部、西部和中部地区的女高中生。为了收集数据，我们应用了有效和可靠的研究者制作的问卷。使用 SPSS 版本 22 软件通过卡方检验对数据进行分析。
从学生的角度来看，不服用铁补充剂的最重要原因是铁补充剂的味道不好、服用后恶心以及医生未开铁补充剂处方。大多数学生认为邀请医疗保健专业人员和播放电影或剪辑对鼓励学生服用补充剂有最大的影响。约 45%的学生报告说没有为他们举办教育项目，只有 28%的学生收到了关于铁补充剂的教育内容/教育媒体。此外，71%的学生报告说，没有足够的杯子供他们消耗补充铁。铁补充剂分发者（副主任：22.6%比 14.1%，P=0.045）、分配足够的时间摄入铁补充剂（72.0%比 37.1%，P<0.001）、在学校实施教育计划（61.8%比 33%，P<0.001）和项目教育者（健康教师：42.7%比 35.7%，P=0.039）与学生服用铁补充剂之间存在显著关系。
为了实现该计划的目标，有必要关注该计划的各个方面，如提供更好质量的铁补充剂、提供更合适的环境条件、设计更具吸引力的培训计划、加强全面宣传和雇佣更有经验的执行人员。
