Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

An action research to control and prevent iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age in a factory in Chachoengsao Province

Year (A.D.)

2001

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Van der Putten, Marc

Faculty/College

College of Public Health Sciences (วิทยาลัยวิทยาศาสตร์สาธารณสุข)

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Degree Level

Master's Degree

Degree Discipline

Health Systems Development

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.THE.2001.1812

Abstract

This is an action research study to supplement weekly iron tablet and improve nutrition education to prevent iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a factory in Chachengsao Province. The 118 participants were women of reproductive age between 18-43 years of age. The majority of them were direct laborers working in different lines of keyboard production. Quantitative data of demographic profile, history of health, food frequency consumption and K&P on iron deficiency anemia were collected as baseline data. Hemoglobin (Hb), Serum Ferritin (SF) and red blood cell (rbc) morphology were indicators for assessing iron status of the participants. For baseline data, it was found that means of Hb1 was 12.2+1.1 g/L, SF1 was 80.7+66.3 mcg/L. The prevalence of anemia (Hb1 < 12.0 g/dL) was 31.4%, deficiency (SF1 < 30 mcg/L) was 13.6% . The prevalence of Hb1<12.0 g/dL was 31.4%, SF1<30 mcg/L was 13.6% and SF1 < 60 mcg/L was 68.7%. The prevalence of ID1 (SF1 < 30 mcg/L), IDA1 (Hb1 < 12 g/dL+ SF1 < 30 mcg/L) and anemia from other causes (OA1 = Hb1 <12 g/dl + SF1 > = 30 mcg/L) were 5.1, 8.5 and 22.9% respectively. The prevalence of ID1 (SF1 < 60 mcg/L), IDA1 (Hb1 < 12 g/dL+ SF1 < 60 mcg/L) and anemia from other causes (OA1 = Hb1 < 12 g/dL+ SF1 > = 60 mcg/L) were 28.0, 40.7 and 11.9% respectively. After 20 weeks of the intervention, it was found that mean of Hb2 was 12.2 + 1.0 g/L, SF2 was 110.0 + 92.4 mcg/L. The prevalence of Hb2 < 12.0 g/dL was 32.2%, SF2 < 30 mcg/L was 3.4% and SF2 < 60 mcg/L was 28.0%. The prevalence of ID2 (SF2 < 30 mcg/L), IDA2 (Hb2 < 12 g/dL + SF2 < 30 mcg/L) and anemia from other causes (OA2 = Hb2 < 12 g/dl + SF2 > = 30 mcg/L) were 0, 3.4 and 28.8% respectively. The prevalence of ID2 (SF2 < 60 mcg/L), IDA2 (Hb2 < 12 g/dL+ SF2 < 60 mcg/L) and anemia from other causes (OA2 = Hb2 < 12 g/dL+ SF2 > = 60 mcg/L) were 13.6 14.4, and 17.8% respectively. IEC was another key element to combat iron deficiency among the participants. It was found that the scores of knowledge on IDA was statistical significant difference (p < 0.01) and scores of knowledge on iron-rich food was statistical significant difference (p<0.001) but scores of practice on frequency of iron-rich food consumption did not statistical significant difference compared between the pre and post tests. After 10 month intervention, focus group discussion, in-depth interview were employed to evaluate the compliance of weekly iron supplementation. It was found that most of the participants took weekly iron tablet regularly in 89.8% because it was closely supervised. Another important reason was that the participants themselves felt the benefits of iron tablet intake. In conclusion, weekly iron tablet intake proved to give positive result for the control and prevention of iron deficiency even though the participants were in good conditions of socio-economic and food security. As revealed in this study advocacy among high level persons in factories should be considered. Also IEC materials should be developed from a woman’s perspectives and designed by professional developers.

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