Santé (Montrouge, France)
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Santé (Montrouge, France) · Jan 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial[Efficacy of daily and weekly iron supplementation for the control of iron deficiency anaemia in infants in rural Vietnam].
In Vietnam the high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in infants and young children speaks for implementing early interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the daily iron supplementation in infants given by their mothers and of the weekly iron supplementation. Two hundred and seventy infants aged 5 to 12 months, were divided into four groups. ⋯ The community approach, where mothers informed on the importance of iron deficiency anaemia and on the consequences for the health of their infants gave the iron supplements, was shown to be effective. However, its sustainability would depend on the availability of low-cost iron supplements affordable by populations with limited economic resources. Other interventions, such as iron supplementation of women during fertile age, especially during pregnancy and lactation periods, and the use of complementary food to breast milk, fortified with micronutrients, should be associated.
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Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional disorder worldwide, especially in developing countries. It occurs when iron absorption cannot compensate iron requirements and losses. Requirements are especially high in pregnant women, infants, young children and adolescents who run a higher risk of being iron-deficient. ⋯ The success of most interventions requires the active participation of the individuals. Information and education of the populations, especially through social mobilization campaigns, are essential because iron deficiency induces few visible symptoms, not easily recognizable by individuals. The implementation of national nutrition plans including the control of iron deficiency as one of the priorities and the participation of the public health and education sectors, food industries, the community and the media should contribute to the success of the interventions and to the control of iron deficiency.
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Santé (Montrouge, France) · Jan 2002
[At the start of the 21st century, we have the means to reduce malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, but will we do it?].
The number of malnourished children in Africa continues to increase. It has been proven that such tendency could be stopped or even reversed if the lessons learnt from successful community nutrition programs were applied. The authors do not deny the role that poor socio-economic conditions play on malnutrition, and that those conditions need to be improved for a long-lasting impact, but they also argue that it is possible to act in parallel and get positive results, without waiting for macro-economic improvements. ⋯ Finally, the authors suggest that if nutrition seems to often be underfunded, it is mainly because nutritionists in general have not been able to come up with feasible and well-conceived programmes. A few ideas are provided on how to access financing from health sector programs, by ensuring that the community nutrition programme helps implement certain aspects of those health sector programs. The conclusion is that there is no excuse not to start improving the nutritional status of African children now.