The effect of PRECEDE model in preventing iron deficiency anemia in high school students

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency throughout the world, and young girls are among the most vulnerable groups. The quasi-experimental study was conducted on randomly selected 190 junior high school girls to determine the effect of PRECEDE-based health education program in prevention of iron deficiency anemia. The intervention was carried out in three 90-minute sessions, and data were collected immediately and three months after the intervention using PRECEDE–based questionnaires. A significant improvement was observed in the case group compared to the control after the intervention in mean scores of predisposing factors (knowledge and attitude), empowering factors (holding and participation in educational classes and use of educational resources), reinforcing factors (peers’ and teachers’ encouragement) and iron deficiency preventing behaviors. The present study showed the positive effect of PRECEDE-based educational intervention in increasing iron deficiency anemia preventing behaviors.