Effectiveness of nutrition education vs. non-nutrition education intervention in improving awareness pertaining iron deficiency among anemic adolescents

Background: this study was carried out to compare the effect between nutrition education intervention and non-nutrition education intervention on awareness regarding iron deficiency among schooling adolescents in tanah merah,one of rural district in kelantan,malaysia. methods: this study which was started in year 2010 involved 280 respondents (223 girls,57 boys,age: 16 yr) from schools in tanah merah. the selection criteria were based on hemoglobin level (hb = 7 - 11.9 g/dl for girls; hb = 7 - 12.9 g/dl for boys). they were divided into 2 groups. the first group received nutrition education package (nutrition education,ne),whereas another group was entitled to receive non-nutrition education intervention (non-nutrition education,nne) (supplement only). both interventions were implemented for 3 months. the changes in awareness among respondents of both groups were evaluated using multi-choices questionnaire. results: nutrition education receiver group (ne) demonstrated improvement in awareness at post-intervention. no substantial improvement was demonstrated by the counterpart group (nne). conclusion: multimedia nutrition education program conducted at school setting was in fact practical and effective in improving awareness on iron deficiency among anemic adolescents.