title: Comparison of two iron supplementation methods on Hemoglobin level and Menstrual Bleeding in Tabriz students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron deficiency anemia is a global health problem, and approximately 50% of anemia is caused by iron deficiency. According to studies, iron supplementation in young females improves iron status by increasing concentration of hemoglobin. To compare of prescribing two methods of iron supplementation administered either on a weekly basis or during menstruation, on hemoglobin level and menstrual blood¸ this double blind Randomized clinical trial study was carried out among female students in Tabriz, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 150 female students allocated randomly in two groups. (75 students took an iron tablet weekly and 75 students took an iron tablet for first four days during their menstruation cycle for 16 weeks). Before and after intervention, the level of hemoglobin was measured and Higham chart was completed by participants in each group. Chi-square, independent t-Test, paired t-Test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, hemoglobin level and amount of menstrual bleeding before and after intervention (p>0.05). Taking iron supplement increased significantly the level of hemoglobin in each group (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in amount of menstrual bleeding (p>0.05) when comparing the data before and after intervention in each group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The two iron supplementation methods (menstrual bleeding period and weekly) have similar results on Hemoglobin level and menstrual bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Instructor, Department of Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bani
authors.affiliation: Student in Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassanpour-Siahestalkhi
authors.affiliation: Instructor, Department of Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sh
authors.initials: Sh
authors.lastname: Hassanpour
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mommad-Alizadeh-Charandabi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirghafourvand
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Javadzadeh
keywords: Hemoglobin; Iron supplement; Menstrual bleeding
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