Prediction of iron deficiency anemia preventive behaviors of children by rural women city of Babol: Application of Health Belief Model

Iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in infants and children around the world. In developing countries, between 40 and 50 percent of children under 5 years of age suffer from this problem.The aim of this study was to predict iron deficiency anemia preventive behaviors of children by mothers of children 6-1 years covered rural centers of Babol City in 2015.
In this analytical-descriptive study, 267 mothers having children 6-1 years covered houses rural health centers in Babol City were selected by the multistage random sampling. Data were collected by the self-report method through a questionnaire including the demographic information, dimensions of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and performance. The data were analyzed by using test correlation, and regression.
The mean age of the mothers were 29.85±55.5 years. Most mothers (49.1%) have education at high school level. Among models, perceived benefits and perceived barriers had the highest score (81.05) lowest score (45.75), respectively. In regression analysis for prediction behaviors, the variables: self-efficacy, perceived barriers and practice guide were detected as the predictor’s variables. These variables could predict totally 19% of behavior’ changes (P According to the findings in the design, educational interventions should be emphasized based on self-efficacy, perceived barriers and practice guides as the most important predictors of maternal behaviors.