Masters Dissertation
Iron deficiency anaemia among under-five children is still a public health problem in developing countries. A longitudinal, randomized, controlled study involving 382 children was conducted in two wards of Kilosa District, Tanzania to determine the effectiveness of a daily home fortification of complementary foods with MNP in reducing IDA among children six to 59 months. The intervention group (n = 191) received 90 sachets of micronutrient powder (10 mg of iron) taken as one sachet daily for three months. The control group (n = 191) did not receive the MNP until after the intervention period. Blood HB concentration and anthropometric measurements were taken at the baseline and monthly thereafter, for a period of three months. Data were analysed using ENA for SMART program, Excel for Windows and SPSS programs. Results showed that, from baseline to the end of the intervention, the mean HB concentration in the intervention group increased by 1.1g/dl, and decreased by 0.2g/dl in the control group (P < 0.00). Prevalence of IDA in the treatment group decreased from 100 to 28.6% whereas for the control group, IDA decreased from 100 to 96.4% (P < 0.01). No significant effect (P > 0.05) was found on the prevalence of wasting (WHZ), stunting (HAZ), and underweight (WAZ). Compliance in the use of the MNP for the intervention group was high in children who consumed more than 80 sachets in the whole study period. It was concluded from the study that, with high compliance and good control of malaria and hookworm as confounders of IDA, use of MNP taken daily for three months is effective in improving the HB status of children and can reduce the prevalence of IDA in under-five children. Mothers/caregivers noted that, supplementing children with MNP resulted in weight gain, children became more active and increased children appetite, reduced the episodes of illness, decreased the demand for breastfeeding and enhanced day and night sleeping. It is recommended based on this study that, in populations where prevalence of anaemia in children under the age of five years is 20% or higher, home food fortification of complementary foods with MNP should be introduced. Introduction of MNP can be a very effective intervention for IDA among infant and young children