Iron Deficiency Anemia among Children during Weaning

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) presents a significant burden in infancyand childhood. Also in infancy and early childhood is causally associated with growth anddevelopmental delay. Aim: Assess iron deficiency anemia among children during weaning.Study design: A descriptive analytical study was utilized in study. Setting: the studyconducted at three maternal and child health centers in Shoubra El Khemia (Begam MCH,Osman MCH, Nopar MCH). Sampling: 500 mother and their children were selectedrandomly from maternal and child health centers .Tools: First tool; an interviewingquestionnaire to assess. demographic data, mothers' knowledge, mothers' practice riskfactors of iron deficiency anemia during weaning among children .and health needs amongchildren with iron deficiency anemia during weaning. Second tool; Medical follow up recordto assess health status of the children with iron deficiency anemia. Third tool; Assessment ofchildren according to Denver Developmental Screening Test (Denver scale). Results: therewere more four fifth of the studied mothers had unsatisfactory knowledge about irondeficiency anemia during weaning among their children, and had inadequate practices towardprevention, above half of children suffered from diarrheal disease. and had respiratory tractinfection. Also more than three fifth of them had poor level of health needs achievement.Conclusion: There was a highly statistical significant relation between mothers' knowledgeand practices about iron deficiency anemia during weaning. Also, there was statisticallysignificant relation between mothers' practices and their socio-demographic characteristics asmothers' age and educational level. Recommendations: Further research studies are neededfor ongoing assessment of children including large sample for generalization of results.