Survey mothers' attitude and health behaviors about prevention of iron-‎deficiency in ‎‏6-24‏‎ month old children in ‎‏2005‏

Introduction: Iron deficiency is an important health-nutritional problem. Based of WHO ‎reports, infants and preschool children are more at risk. Children at age ‎‏6-24‏‎ months are at risk ‎of iron-deficiency.‎ Objective: The goal of this study is to determine the attitude and behavior of mothers of ‎‏6-24‏‎ ‎months old children regarding prevention of iron-deficiency.‎ Methods: This is a descriptive study and ‎‏169‏‎ mothers with ‎‏6-24‏‎ months old children who ‎referred to one health center in Rasht were chosen. Data collection instrument consisted of ‎three parts.‎ First part covered sample's demographic characteristics second part assessed mothers' behavior ‎on prevention of iron-deficiency and the third part was related to mothers' attitude on ‎prevention of iron-deficiency.‎ Results: Findings showed that the majority (‎‏56.6%‏‎) had improper health behavior. Most ‎‎(‎‏51.8%‏‎) had positive attitude and there was a negative correlation between health behavior ‎and attitude.‎ Conclusion: Must samples had positive attitude regarding prevention of iron-deficiency but ‎unfortunately didn't have satisfactory behavior in prevention of iron-deficiency. Therefore it's ‎necessary for authorities to plan programs to promote health behaviors.‎