Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Community Medicine

Background: Anemia is considered a serious public health problem worldwide. In Egypt, more than one in four children suffers from some degree of anemia. Because habits and attitudes formed in early life are translated into the future adults{u2019} lifestyles, nutrition education may be of help. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anemia among children aged 2-12 years old in El Othmanyia village as well as to assess and improve the nutritional knowledge and risky nutritional habits of mothers and their anemic children. Materials and Methods: It is a Community based nutrition education interventional study. All children aged 2-12 years old (987 children) in El Othmanyia village were screened for anemia by measuring their hemoglobin level. The anemic children (350) underwent confirmatory test. Iron and ferritin level were measured for mild and moderate confirmed anemic children. Mothers of confirmed mild to moderate anemic children aged 2-12 years old (104 mothers and 119 children) and confirmed anemic children aged 8-12 years old (40) were exposed to the study intervention. The intervention was preceded by knowledge assessment concerning iron deficiency anemia and dietary practice using pre-tested food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall. Nutritional educational sessions were done to all participants. The same structured questionnaires were used to test the nutritional knowledge and practice after the educational program. In addition, hemoglobin level was measured after the intervention

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