PREVENTION AND NURSING MANAGEMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AMONG INFANTS IN GAZA STRIP

Abstract

Anemia and specially iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is of the most common disorders among children worldwide and Gaza Strip-Palestine is no exception, The aim of the study was three folds; to assess the level of hemoglobin among infants in Gaza Strip, to implement the developed educational program for prevention and management of IDA for infants' mothers, :>.11d to evaluate the effect of the program on mothers knowledge and practice (K&P) as well as on infants' hemoglobin levels after implementing the program. Quasi-experimental design was used in this study, a convenient sample of mothers with their infants (126) was selected from Al-Rimal Clinic-MoH, and they served as control group for themselves for ethical reasons. Data were obtained through three main tools; self structured interviewing questionnaire for maternal K&P regarding IDA, review of medical records for hemoglobin and weight measurements, and structured self-report on infant's 24-hour dietary recall that obtained through face-to-face interview with mothers. The main results two months after the program were: mothers K&P scores were significantly higher post program implementation ( 44.4) than before (38.7). Mean hemoglobin values were also significantly higher in post program compared to pre program status (11.1 vs. 10.7 g/dl), the prevalence of anemia (Hb < 11g/dl) was significantly lower post program (44.4% vs 60.4%). Compared to pre-program status; no significant differences were observed in the post program mean scores of the components of the 24-hour dietary recalls except for scores of foods that decrease iron absorption. The study concluded that the education program had a positive effect on mothers' K&P regarding IDA and hemoglobin levels of infants. The study recommended that nurses who work at the MCH clinics should effectively utilize their roles as educators and counselors to contribute to the prevention and management of anemia among infants in Gaza Strip, and to conduct further similar studies on larger, more representative sampl.e of mothers with their infants in Gaza strip.