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The perspective of primary health care pediatricians regarding childhood anemia and iron supplementation.

Archivos argentinos de pediatria
January 1, 1970
Yanina Sguassero et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleMulticenter StudyObservational StudyHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to analyze pediatricians' perspectives on iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation in a primary health care setting.

Results Summary

Pediatricians viewed anemia as a relevant problem linked to poor-quality diets and noted low adherence as a barrier to treatment. Suggested interventions included workshops and more flavorful iron supplements to improve compliance.

Population

Primary health care pediatricians from Rosario, Argentina.

Effective Dosage

Not available

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
ferrous sulfate supplementation
no change
-
pediatric population
low
impact is low
#1
iron supplementation
no change
clinical management of iron deficiency anemia
pediatric population
low
low adherence is a barrier
#2
more flavorful iron supplements
increase
-
local setting
-
potentially beneficial
#3
workshops on anemia
increase
-
local setting
-
potentially beneficial
#4
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Iron deficiency anemia is common in low- and middle-income countries. According to the evidence, the impact of ferrous sulfate supplementation in the pediatric population is low. Our objective was to analyze the perspective of pediatricians regarding anemia and iron supplementation. POPULATION AND METHODS: Qualitative, exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with primary health care pediatricians from Rosario. Three core inquiry concepts were included: importance of this problem, clinical practice, and representations about iron supplementation. The analysis consisted in the systematization of the information collected by transcribing the recorded interviews and notes. RESULTS: A total of 32 interviews were conducted. All interviewees considered anemia was a relevant problem. At present, anemia is associated with a poor-quality diet. Based on the findings, pediatric practice follows national standards. There is consensus that low adherence is a barrier for the clinical management of iron deficiency anemia. Pediatricians described concepts that are potentially beneficial for the local setting, including workshops on anemia and free provision of more flavorful iron supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Iron deficiency anemia was considered a severe problem. In the primary health care setting, outstanding interventions included workshops and access to more flavorful iron supplements. INTRODUCCIÓN: La anemia ferropénica es más frecuente en los países de bajos y medianos ingresos. La evidencia sugiere que el impacto del suplemento con sulfato ferroso en la población infantil es bajo. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la visión de los pediatras en torno a la problemática de la anemia y al suplemento con hierro. POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a los pediatras del primer nivel de atención de Rosario. Se incluyeron tres ejes de indagación: "relevancia del problema", "práctica clínica" y "representaciones sobre el suplemento con hierro". El análisis consistió en sistematizar la información obtenida mediante la transcripción de entrevistas grabadas y anotaciones. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 32 entrevistas. Todos los entrevistados pensaban que la anemia era un problema relevante. Actualmente, se la asocia con una alimentación de mala calidad. Los hallazgos llevan a considerar que la práctica pediátrica sigue las normativas nacionales. Hay acuerdo en que la baja adherencia es un obstáculo para el manejo clínico de la anemia ferropénica. Los pediatras expresaron ideas potencialmente beneficiosas para el contexto local, que incluían la organización de talleres sobre anemia y la distribución gratuita de preparados con hierro de mejor sabor. CONCLUSIONES: La anemia por déficit de hierro se consideró un problema grave. En atención primaria, las intervenciones destacadas fueron la organización de talleres y el acceso a preparados con hierro de sabor más agradable.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Anemia, Iron-DeficiencyAttitude of Health PersonnelChildChild, PreschoolFemaleFerrous CompoundsHealth Care SurveysHumansInfantMalePediatricsPrimary Health Care
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy30/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year0.1
Relative Citation Ratio0.07
NIH Percentile3.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.21
Normalized Score0.44
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