Iron supplementation consumption behavior predictors based on the health belief model among 9th-grade female students of Birjand in 2018

Anemia caused by iron deficiency, an important health issue is especially in teenager girls. The purpose of this study was, to determine the application of the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs for the identification of influential factors on iron supplementation consumption among 9 th-grade female students in Birjand.

This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 517 of 9th grade female students. Students were selected by the randomized multistage sampling method. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability was confirmed. The questionnaire included demographic information, HBM structures, and knowledge questions. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and regression model.

The results of the study showed that knowledge of subjects about iron supplementation consumption, was 10.1%, 42.6%, and 34.7%, their attitudes are 1.4%, 52.6%, and 46%, and also their performance was 57.8%, 34.6% and 7.5%, in poor, moderate and good levels, respectively. Iron supplementation consumption behavior predictors include: Self-efficacy (β = 0.196, P <0.001), practice guidelines (β = 0.330, P <0.001) and perceived severity (β = 0.085, P <0.046). These construct predicted 32.4% (R = 0.324) of behavioral changes overall.

Students' knowledge and attitude were moderate, and most 9th-grade female students do not take iron tablet, it is suggested that practice, perceived severity, and self-efficacy in students should be strengthened by conducting educational interventions