[Effect of nutritional education on iron-deficiency anemia in high schools girls]

Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the main nutritional problems especially in young women. There are many strategies to combat iron deficiency anemia, including change in food habits and nutritional education. Aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutritional education on iron deficiency anemia among high schools girls. In this semi-experimental study, 68 high schools girls with iron deficiency anemia were educated for 4 months. Education materials were included brochures, pamphlets, and lectures. During nutritional education sessions the girls were presented with a pamphlet in which nutritional topics such as food groups, iron absorption enhancers and inhibitors, good sources of iron and ways to improve absorption of iron from foods were explained in simple word. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum zinc were measured in the beginning and end of the intervention. The girl's knowledge and their attitude about nutrition were also obtained before and after the study. Paired-t test, Wilcoxon, and Spearman tests were used for data analysis. The amount of hemoglobin at the beginning and the end of the study were 109.5 +/- 10 g/l and 123.3 +/- 13 g/l. respectively [P<0.001]. Serum ferrtin level was 4.5 +/- 3.2 and 25.4 +/- 36.9 microg/l, respectively [P<0.001]. Serum zinc level was 1.4 +/- 0.5 mg/dl at the beginning of the study and it was increased to 3.7 +/- 1 mg/dl at the end of the study [P<0.001]. Knowledge scores at the first and final intervention were 5.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 6.8 +/- 1.9 [P<0.01], and attitudes scores were 25.1 +/- 3.4 vs. 25.4 +/- 3.7 [P>0.05], respectively. Nutritional education can be used for improving the serum iron and zinc among anemic girls