Assessment of Primary School Students knowledge, practice and health beliefs regarding Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most widespread nutritional deficiency and accounts for almost one half of anemia cases . Aim: this study aims to assess primary school student's knowledge, practice and health beliefs regarding Iron Deficiency Anemia. Study design: Descriptive study was applied to achieve the aim of the current study. Setting: This study was conducted at three mixed primary schools that were selected randomly in Beni suef governorate . Sample: A multi stage random sample technique of 300 students was used for selection of the sample. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection tool I socio demographic data of students and their parents, students knowledge and reported practice related to iron deficiency anemia . Tool II Health beliefs of primary school students regarding Iron deficiency anemia . Results: 40 % of primary school students had poor total knowledge scores about Iron deficiency anemia. Moreover, 77 % of them had unsatisfactory total reported practice scores related to iron deficiency anemia. As well as 67.7 % of them had negative total health beliefs toward iron deficiency anemia. There were a statistically significant relation between students; their parent's characteristics and students total knowledge scores, reported practice scores and health beliefs scores. Conclusion: The current study concludes that, more than one third of studied students had poor total knowledge scores about iron deficiency anemia. More than half of them had unsatisfactory total reported practice related to iron deficiency anemia. More than half of primary school students had negative total health beliefs scores toward iron deficiency anemia. As well as, the current study found that a significance statistical relationship between socio demographic characteristics of primary school student's and total health beliefs scores. Recommendations: Health educational programs regarding iron deficiency anemia should be targeted to primary school children's as a component in their curricula.