OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of an integrated community-based micronutrient and health (MICAH) programme on anaemia (Hb < 120 g/l) among non-pregnant rural Malawian women aged 15-49 years from communities that participated in the 1996-2005 MICAH programme. DESIGN: Prospective study of two large-scale cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2000 and 2004 as part of programme evaluation in MICAH and Comparison areas. SETTING: Rural areas across Malawi. The MICAH programme implemented a comprehensive package of interventions to reduce anaemia, based on a broad range on direct and indirect causes in Malawi. The project approaches included: Fe supplementation; dietary diversification and modification; food fortification; and strengthening primary health care. PARTICIPANTS: Non-pregnant women of childbearing age (15-49 years old, n 5422), from randomly selected households that responded to a household questionnaire, had their Hb measured from finger-prick blood samples using the HemoCue. RESULTS: In 2000, there was no significant difference in Hb concentration between MICAH and Comparison areas (mean (SE): 117.4 (0.4) v. 116.8 (0.5) g/l, P > 0.05) and the corresponding prevalence of anaemia (53.5 % v. 52.9 %, P > 0.05). By 2004, Hb concentration had increased significantly in MICAH but not in Comparison areas (mean (SE): 121.0 (0.4) v. 115.7 (0.6) g/l, P < 0.001), and the prevalence of anaemia had declined significantly in MICAH areas (53.5 % to 44.1 %, chi2 = 28.2, P < 0.0001) but not in Comparison areas (52.8 % to 54.0 %, chi2 = 0.3, P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The MICAH programme was an effective public health nutrition programme that was associated with significant reductions in the prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant rural Malawian women.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of an integrated community-based micronutrient and health (MICAH) programme on anaemia (Hb < 120 g/l) among non-pregnant rural Malawian women aged 15-49 years from communities that participated in the 1996-2005 MICAH programme. DESIGN: Prospective study of two large-scale cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2000 and 2004 as part of programme evaluation in MICAH and Comparison areas. SETTING: Rural areas across Malawi. The MICAH programme implemented a comprehensive package of interventions to reduce anaemia, based on a broad range on direct and indirect causes in Malawi. The project approaches included: Fe supplementation; dietary diversification and modification; food fortification; and strengthening primary health care. PARTICIPANTS: Non-pregnant women of childbearing age (15-49 years old, n 5422), from randomly selected households that responded to a household questionnaire, had their Hb measured from finger-prick blood samples using the HemoCue. RESULTS: In 2000, there was no significant difference in Hb concentration between MICAH and Comparison areas (mean (SE): 117.4 (0.4) v. 116.8 (0.5) g/l, P > 0.05) and the corresponding prevalence of anaemia (53.5 % v. 52.9 %, P > 0.05). By 2004, Hb concentration had increased significantly in MICAH but not in Comparison areas (mean (SE): 121.0 (0.4) v. 115.7 (0.6) g/l, P < 0.001), and the prevalence of anaemia had declined significantly in MICAH areas (53.5 % to 44.1 %, chi2 = 28.2, P < 0.0001) but not in Comparison areas (52.8 % to 54.0 %, chi2 = 0.3, P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The MICAH programme was an effective public health nutrition programme that was associated with significant reductions in the prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant rural Malawian women.
Authors: Emily C Keats; Lynnette M Neufeld; Greg S Garrett; Mduduzi N N Mbuya; Zulfiqar A Bhutta Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2019-06-01 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Rachel Hurst; Edwin W P Siyame; Scott D Young; Allan D C Chilimba; Edward J M Joy; Colin R Black; E Louise Ander; Michael J Watts; Benson Chilima; Jellita Gondwe; Dalitso Kang'ombe; Alexander J Stein; Susan J Fairweather-Tait; Rosalind S Gibson; Alexander A Kalimbira; Martin R Broadley Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2013 Impact factor: 4.379