The Effect of Education-Based Intervention Using Small Group Discussion in Empowering Adolescent Girls to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia

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Introduction: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional disorders worldwide. Regarding that fact, the aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of education-based intervention using small group discussions in empowering adolescent girls to prevent Iron deficiency anemia. Materials and Methods:The present semi-experimental practical research was performed by choosing 60 female high-schoolers through random cluster sampling (n=30 test group and n=30 control group). The research tools included one questionnaire of demographic information & an assessment questionnaire for subjects’ empowerment in preventing iron deficiency anemia. After collecting pre-test data, the educational intervention was implemented for adolescent girls in the test group & the post-test was carried out one week after the intervention ended. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and applying appropriate statistical tests. Results: At baseline, independent T-test showed no significant difference between the two groups in the perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self efficacy, all of which could be regarded as empowerment process components (P>0.05). However, significant differences were observed after intervention. Also, the paired T-test showed a significant difference before and after the intervention in the test group in means of the perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self efficacy and, in the grand scheme, adolescent girlsʹ empowerment (P<0.05). No significant differences were evident in the control group. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the education-based intervention using small groupdiscussions was effective in empowering adolescent girls to prevent Iron deficiency anemia.