PREVALÊNCIA E DETERMINANTES DO USO DE FERRO AOS TRÊS E SEIS MESES DE VIDA EM CRIANÇAS NASCIDAS NA CIDADE DE PELOTAS, RS

Abstract

The aim of this article is to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with iron use at three and six months in a cohort of children born in the city of Pelotas/RS, between September 2002 and May 2003. 931 children were selected through a random sample. Data were collected through home interviews at the third and sixth months of age. Most families had a low income and had mothers with up to eight years of schooling and an average age of 26 (SD± 6,83). The prevalence of iron use was of 8% at three months and 17% at six months. The use of iron at three months was associated with low weight at birth and use of powder milk, its use at six months, with low weight at birth and use of iron at three months. The prevalence of iron use is low at this age group, considering the recommendations of prophylactic use of iron of the WHO, highlighting the need of nutrition education, availability of free medication and attention to the problem by the health professional