Effectiveness of a Designed Educational Intervention on the Rate of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women; A Randomized Clinical Trial

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a specially designed educational intervention on the rate of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women. Materials & Methods: This two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted in ۲۰۲۰ in Khoy, West Azerbaijan, Iran. The study population included all pregnant women diagnosed with IDA. IDA was determined through laboratory tests. A total of ۲۰۰ participants were selected using a simple random method. Using the quadruple block allocation method, participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group (n=۱۰۰) and a control group (n=۱۰۰). The control group received standard care. The intervention group participated in a program consisting of four ۴۵-to-۵۵-minute training sessions over four weeks. Each session included lectures, educational videos, question-and-answer segments, small group discussions, and individual counseling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests with SPSS version ۱۶. Findings: The age, education, employment status, health status, and gestational age of participants in both groups were similar (p>۰.۰۵). Additionally, the results of the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated that the designed program significantly affected the reduction of IDA among participants, particularly among those with diabetes (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The designed educational intervention is effective in reducing IDA among pregnant women.

Keywords:

Anemia , Iron deficiencies , Women , pregnant women , Anemia Iron-Deficiency