ABSTRACT
Iron deficiency and anemia are among the most problems encountered the general hygiene system in the world because infants under 2 years of age are at risk of having iron deficiency. Therefore it is necessary to supplement the infant with iron as an important prophylactic method for anemia. The supplementation of infant with iron is routinely done in health centers of iran. Although, iron drop supplement is available for children, some mothers don't provide this necessary nutritional element for their infants. This study was conducted to evaluate the iron supplemental dose, and compliance of mothers in giving iron drop to their infants. In addition, we looked for possible demographic characters of mothers and their reasons that prevent their infants from accessing the iron drop. This descriptive study was performed on 1200 infants [6-24 months who were referred to health care centers of Rafsanjan city in 2001. Systematic randomized sampling method was used for the study. A questionnaire containing demographic characters of mothers and infants, daily intake of iron drop, as well as lack of iron drop intake along with mother's reasons such as blackening of teeth, black stool, lack of Iron drop, unfavorable taste, mothers forgetfullness, lack of need for iron in infants, and lack of recommendation by physicians. The data were gathered and analyzed by using SPSS 12 soft ware, T and X[2] tests. -Among 1200 infants investigated 61% were taking the iron drop daily [95% Cl, 58-64]. The most common reason for not taking the supplement daily was blackening of teeth 25.1% [95% CI, 21-29] and the least frequent one was black stool 1.5% [95% CI, 0-3]. The relationship between avoding daily intake of iron drop and infant age, growth level, level of mother's education, mother's job and here age were significant but it was not significant for sex. Considering the importance of infant daily intake of the iron drop and lack of logical reasons of mothers to give the supplement to their infants, a meticulous and intensive public campaign is needed to augment awareness of the mother to provide the iron for their infant either as a supplement or in the infant's food. Nevertheless, infants who don't have enogh of this necessary element in their diet should be examined for iron deficiency and subsequent treatment