ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia is a global health problem, and approximately 50% of anemia is caused by iron deficiency. According to studies, iron supplementation in young females improves iron status by increasing concentration of hemoglobin. To compare of prescribing two methods of iron supplementation administered either on a weekly basis or during menstruation, on hemoglobin level and menstrual blood¸ this double blind Randomized clinical trial study was carried out among female students in Tabriz, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 150 female students allocated randomly in two groups. (75 students took an iron tablet weekly and 75 students took an iron tablet for first four days during their menstruation cycle for 16 weeks). Before and after intervention, the level of hemoglobin was measured and Higham chart was completed by participants in each group. Chi-square, independent t-Test, paired t-Test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, hemoglobin level and amount of menstrual bleeding before and after intervention (p>0.05). Taking iron supplement increased significantly the level of hemoglobin in each group (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in amount of menstrual bleeding (p>0.05) when comparing the data before and after intervention in each group. CONCLUSION: The two iron supplementation methods (menstrual bleeding period and weekly) have similar results on Hemoglobin level and menstrual bleeding.
ABSTRACT
Women's health constitutes a major aspect of development in societies and is considered a health-related priority. The aim of the present study was to determine appropriate strategies for improving health promoting behaviours in women of reproductive age in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Using the nominal group technique, a panel discussion was held in October 2011 with 12 health specialists who were selected through purposive sampling. In the first round, panel members generated 81 strategies; after eliminating irrelevant items and merging items with similar concepts, 44 strategies remained. After group discussion and voting, the following 4 items had the highest scores: improving physical activity, with a social support approach; empowering women; promoting and improving men's role in women's health; and promoting social support. The strategies presented in this study may be utilized by policy-makers, managers and health care providers to improve women's health promoting behaviours, and thus contribute to their wellbeing.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Health Promotion/methods , Women's Health Services/organization & administration , Women's Health , Adult , Female , Health Promotion/standards , Humans , Iran , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Women's Health Services/standardsABSTRACT
Women's health constitutes a major aspect of development in societies and is considered a health-related priority. The aim of the present study was to determine appropriate strategies for improving health promoting behaviours in women of reproductive age in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Using the nominal group technique, a panel discussion was held in October 2011 with 12 health specialists who were selected through purposive sampling. In the first round, panel members generated 81 strategies; after eliminating irrelevant items and merging items with similar concepts, 44 strategies remained. After group discussion and voting, the following 4 items had the highest scores: improving physical activity, with a social support approach; empowering women; promoting and improving men's role in women's health; and promoting social support. The strategies presented in this study may be utilized by policy-makers, managers and health care providers to improve women's health promoting behaviours, and thus contribute to their wellbeing