Effectiveness Comparison of Mothers' In-person Versus Written Nutritional Education Intervention on Infant Growth in Iran.
BACKGROUND
In 1990, the Iranian Ministry of Health implemented a health plan to increase mothers' knowledge of infant feeding using health workers and health volunteers. This study evaluates the effects of nutrition education on mothers' knowledge and whether increase in mothers' knowledge was associated with increase in growth of their children in Ardabil, Iran.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental study of the impact of written nutritional education and in-person nutritional education given to the participants (mothers) from urban health centers by health workers and health volunteers. Sixteen urban health centers located in Ardabil, Iran, were selected randomly for nutritional education. A group of 303 mothers with infants younger than 6 months of age from 16 health centers participated in this study. Height-for-age Z scores and weight-for age Z scores were calculated based on the National Center for Health Statistics reference values.


RESULTS
There were signifi cant differences between maternal nutritional knowledge before and after the intervention in all groups. However, the in-person method of instruction given by health workers was more effective in increasing mothers' knowledge than those in non-health worker volunteers intervention group. There were also significant differences between the growth rates of infants' heights and weights before and after the intervention.
In line with the aims of the government's plan, the education given by health volunteers from non-governmental organizations was effective. However, it was less effective than the one given by professional health workers.
Department of Nutrition, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Nemati
N
Ali
Department of Nursing, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Tazakori
T
Zahra
Department of Medical Science, Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, IRAN.
Maryam Namadi
MN
Vosogh
School of Nursing, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Nazila
N
Vosoghi
Department of Nutrition, University of Azad Islamic, Medical Sciences, Khalkhal, IRAN.
Maryam
M
Zare
Department of Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Afroz
A
Mardi
Department of Health Services Management, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Adham
A
Davoud
Department of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Hamidzadeh Arbabi
HA
Yousef
Department of Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IRAN.
Kazemzadeh
K
Rafat
Education; Health; Health volunteer; Infant growth; Iran; Nutrition