We examined the effect of SMS text messages on compliance with iron supplementation among pregnant women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 116 pregnant women referred from public health centres in Ahvaz. Their gestational age was 14-16 weeks. The subjects were randomly assigned to a control group who received usual care, or to a 12-week intervention with SMS reminders in addition to usual care. Participants in both groups were provided with iron supplements and taught how to take iron tablets. Most women in the intervention group (94%) had high compliance with iron supplements compared to the control group (66%); this difference was significant (P = 0.003). Although haemoglobin, haematocrit and ferritin decreased significantly in each group, there was no significant difference between them. Using SMS reminders is an efficient way of improving compliance of women with iron supplementation during pregnancy. However, in the present study better compliance did not improve anaemia.

Background: Tobacco smoking is attributed to pediatric disease and pediatric epidemics. This study aimed to indicate the attitudes of four-to six-year-old children toward cigarettes. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted by a questionnaire in 2011. Hundred and forty-five, children, aged four to six years, were randomly selected from eight kindergartens located in all four areas of Ahvaz. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze demographic data, Chi-square test to compare qualitative variables and Pearson correlation coefficient to compare quantitative data. Results: Results of the study showed that 76.4% of children knew what a cigarette is; 41.2% had talked about smoking with their parents; 1.4% had asked to buy one due to the attractive appearance of cigarette packs; 27.8% imitated the act of smoking. Children's attitude toward smoking showed that 1.4% of them took smoking as a good act, 91.4% believed that smoking was a bad act and 7.1% had no idea about smoking. Conclusions: Since parents' behaviors affect their children, it is advisable to implement effective interventional programs to increase parents' awareness about smoking and its harmful environmental effects.