Original Article

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 991–996; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602809; published online 30 May 2007

The effect of a school-based weekly iron supplementation delivery system among anemic schoolchildren in the Philippines

Contributors: MGDR was responsible for the management of the project, data analysis and writing of the manuscript. LWT was involved in the conception and design of the study. PR-S was involved in the data analysis and interpretation. FSS initiated the study and was responsible for the overall conception and design of the study. LWT, PR-S and FSS reviewed the manuscript. All authors approved the manuscript.

M G D Risonar1, L W Tengco1, P Rayco-Solon1 and F S Solon1

1Social Science Research Division, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Taguig City, Philippines

Correspondence: MGD Risonar, Social Science Research Division, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Villamor Interchange, South Superhighway, Western Bicutan, Taguig City 1630, Philippines. E-mail: mgrisonar@ncp.org.ph

Received 26 October 2006; Revised 17 April 2007; Accepted 18 April 2007; Published online 30 May 2007.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

To determine the effect of a school-based weekly iron supplementation delivery system (WISDS) on the prevalence of anemia among anemic schoolchildren.

Subjects and methods:

 

Two hundred and forty-two Filipino schoolchildren aged 6–12 years with hemoglobin (Hb) concentration <12 g/dl and enrolled for school year 2003–2004. UNICEF iron-folate tablets containing 60 mg elemental iron and 0.40 mg folic acid were given weekly through directly observed supplementation by the teachers for 27 weeks. Compliance to iron supplementation was monitored by the teachers and was recorded using a monitoring form and a supplementation calendar. Hb concentration, weight and height were determined at baseline and at post-intervention.

Results:

 

At post-intervention, the participants' mean Hb concentration increased by 0.4 g/dl (95% confidence interval =0.3, 0.5 g/dl; P<0.0001), anemia prevalence was reduced by 53.7, and 84.3% of the participants had 100% compliance to supplementation.

Conclusions:

 

The school-based WISDS reduced anemia prevalence among anemic schoolchildren and resulted in high compliance to and coverage of iron supplementation.

Keywords:

anemia, iron-deficiency, iron, supplementation, school-based, compliance

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