Application of the PRECEDE model for controlling iron-deficiency anemia among children aged 1-5, Kerman, Iran

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional problems in the world. In the Islamic Republic (IR) of Iran, about 30 to 50 percent of women and children have IDA. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of applying the PRECEDE educational model as a framework for controlling IDA among children aged one to five years old. One hundred and sixty children, aged one to five years, who were diagnosed as belonging to one of the unhealthy three stages of IDA, along with their mothers, participated in the study. The study subjects were divided randomly into four groups: I) Traditional educational, II) Iron supplementation, III) PRECEDE Model, and, IV)a control group who received the usual health center care. Data collection included use of questionnaires, observation (physical examination) and interviews, and pre-and post-tests (the former was conducted four months prior to the intervention). The research results demonstrated that mean scores of the knowledge and attitudes of mothers about controlling IDA were increased significantly in Group I and Group III, but, the changes in Group III were greater than in the other groups. A comparison of IDA stages in the three groups indicated that the rate of recovery was significantly different (p<0.0001). Group differences were: Group 1 40.5%, Group II 50%, and Group III 82.5%; Group III had the highest changes. Therefore, the PRECEDE Model education program was more effective in modifying nutritional behaviors of mothers in order to control the IDA of their children.