Objective: The main aim of this study was to evaluate
milk consumption status and interest in milk among
northern Iranian primary school children in 2010.
Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study
performed in 7430 students (3935 male) from 112
schools in urban and rural areas. The schools and
students were chosen by cluster and stratified
sampling. Data was collected for all samples through
interview.
Results: Milk consumption was present in 62.7% of
students (female 60.7%, male 64.5%) and in
Turkman ethnic groups (66.0%) was significantly
more than in other ethnic groups such as Fars-native
(61.4%) and Sisstanish ethnic group (58.2%)
(P=0.001). The odds ratio estimate for milk
consumption was 1.85 [95% CI: 1.59, 2.16] for good
economic group compared to poor economic group;
1.17 [95% CI:1.05-1.31] for students whose mothers
had 1-12 years schooling compare to students whose
mother were illiterate; 1.31 [95% CI:1.09-1.08] for
students whose father were college educated
compared to students whose fathers were illiterate.
The odds ratio estimate for interest in milk was 0.84
[95% CI: 0.73, 0.99] for good economic group
compared to poor economic group; 0.88 [95% CI:
0.79-0.99] for students whose mothers had 1-12 years
schooling compared to students whose mothers were
illiterate.
Conclusions: Milk consumption was shown among
63% of students and was significantly more in boys
than in girls, in urban than in rural areas and in
Turkman ethnic groups (66%) than in other ethnic
groups. High interest in milk was shown among 66%
of students.