Effect of PRECEDE Model on Iron Supplement Intake of 6-12-Month-old Infants

Abstract

<em>duction: </em>Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional problem among children. This condition has affected approximately 48% of infants, worldwide. Given the importance of physical and mental development of young children, it is important to prevent this disease in order to prevent the loss of children's abilities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PRECEDE model on iron supplement intake of children, aged 6 to 12 months, covered by healthcare centers of Sanandaj, Iran. <em>Methods: </em>In this interventional study, 80 mothers were randomly allocated to case and control groups. Four sessions of educational intervention were held for 45 minutes. Before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention, the questionnaires were completed by the subjects. The data were collected using the PRECEDE model. Data were entered to SPSS version 18, and independent t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA, and Fisher's exact tests were performed. <em>Results:</em>The mean scores of predisposing factors (knowledge and attitude), reinforcing factors, and enabling factors were significantly different between the intervention and control groups (P<0.001). Also, iron intake increased from 68% to 95% (P<0.001). <em>Conclusion:</em> The results indicated the effectiveness of intervention programs, based on PRECEDE model and its main components (predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors), in the reduction of iron supplement intake in children (6 to 12 months old).