Educational intervention on iron deficiency anemia to mothers of the medical office 141, Hermanos Cruz Polyclinic

Abstract

Introduction. Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent nutritional deficiency in Cuba and children constitute one of the groups most vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies.

Objective. To evaluate the change in the level of knowledge and skills of mothers after an educational intervention on iron deficiency anemia in clinic 141 of the Hermanos Cruz Polyclinic, from June 2020 to July 2022.

Method: An applied, analytical, longitudinal and prospective quasi-experimental research was carried out. The sample studied consisted of 62 mothers with a total universe of 88 mothers, to whom an initial survey was applied to determine the level of knowledge on the subject, which allowed carrying out an educational strategy on the difficulties detected and their subsequent evaluation. For the preparation and analysis of the tables, descriptive statistics, percentage, mean, standard deviation and McNemar's Chi-square statistical test were applied.

Results: 75% of the trained mothers were between 20-35 years of age and 58.7% had a university level. In the variables measured after the educational intervention there was a statistically significant increase in knowledge of the concept of anemia (x2=17.36), importance of anemia (x2=13.21), symptoms (x2=8.2), risk groups (x2=12.07) and prevention of anemia (x2=40.09).

Conclusion: The efficacy of the educational intervention to increase mothers' knowledge of iron deficiency anemia was demonstrated.