Intake of iron supplement and its related factors in jounior and high school girl students of the Iraninan population

Iron supplementation in specific groups is one of the recommended approches by the World Health Organization to prevent and control iron deficiency anemia as the most common type of malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumption of iron supplement and the related factors by girl students in Jounior and high schools in Semnan. In this study, 440 jounior and high school girl students were randomly selected from different districts in Semnan. Data Collecting was performed via filling out a questionnaire by the students under revising a research expert. The supplement intake was considered as ''complete'' or ''favorable'' if the number of the tablets, which were taken by the students, was equal to the one was distributed by school officials, otherwise, that was considered ''incomplete''. 53.9% of jounior school girls and 16.5% of high school girls were completely taken their tablets that this difference between two group of students was significant (p<0.001). Supplement consumption in jounior school girls declined with their grade, i.e., more decrease in full tablet consumption at higher grades (p=0.002). Awareness of iron deficiency symptoms was inversely proportional to full iron tablet consumption (p=0.003). A significant relationship was observed between complete iron tablet consumption by the students and their father's educational levels (p=0.046); their mother's educational levels (p=0.015), student’s score average (p=0.003); student’s participation levels in “iron supplementation” classes (p<0.001); parents’ participation levels in “iron supplementation” classes (p=0.021); authorities’s supervising about taking of tablets by the student (p<0.001); consumption of iron tablets during lessons (p<0.001); and distribution of iron tablets by the health advisor (p<0.001). The study indicates an unsatisfactory situation regarding the consumption of iron supplementary tablets in Semnan jounior and high school girl students. To improve the iron supplementation program, efforts in creating a positive attitude and awarenes about taking iron supplements, as well as face to face training of students and their parents, and supervision by a health educator can be helpful.