Effectiveness of health education intervention on iron-fortified soy sauce in urban and rural areas in Beijing

Objective To explore health education on iron-fortified soy sauce(FeSS)and test the feasibility and effectiveness.Methods Acommunity-based inter ventiontrial was coducted among four groups of people,experimental group and control group in rural areas,and those in urban areas,respectively.There were about 200 persons in each group.Health education on FeSS through interperso nal communication was implemented in experimental communities by lecture,IEC materials,free FeSS gifts.Results The effectiveness of health education was obvious in the aspects of diminishing worries about FeSS(over-coming barriers)and enhancing intention,and the net effect of increasing rates were 5%~25%.As for behavior,new buyers in rural and urban intervention groups increased by nearly 15% and 25% more than those in control groups.More than 90% of participants enjoyed the education activ ities.Conclusion Health education of FeSS through interpersonal communication is feasible and effective in rural and urban areas in Beijing.The strategy of health education may be extended to other similar areas.