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A community-based randomized controlled trial providing weekly iron-folic acid supplementation increased serum- ferritin, -folate and hemoglobin concentration of adolescent girls in southern Ethiopia.

Scientific reports
January 1, 1970
Yoseph Halala Handiso et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) in improving serum ferritin, serum folate, and hemoglobin levels among adolescent girls.

Results Summary

The study found that WIFAS significantly increased hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum folate concentrations in the intervention group compared to the control group, reducing marginal iron stores from 49% to 12% after three months. The improvements were statistically significant and clinically meaningful.

Population

Adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in four villages of Wolaita and Hadiya zones.

Effective Dosage

Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (specific dosage not mentioned in the abstract).

Duration

3 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
increase
Hb concentration
adolescent girls
-
increased
#1
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
increase
serum ferritin (SF)
adolescent girls
-
increased
#2
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
increase
serum folate (SFol)
adolescent girls
-
increased
#3
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
decrease
Marginal iron store
adolescent girls
from 49 to 12%
decreased
#4
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
increase
serum folate
adolescent girls
4.10 ng/ml
was associated with an improvement of
#5
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
increase
serum ferritin
adolescent girls
39.1 μg/l
was associated with an improvement of
#6
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
increase
hemoglobin concentration
adolescent girls
1.2 g/dl
was associated with an improvement of
#7
community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS)
decrease
iron and folate deficiency
adolescent girls
-
was effective in reducing
#8
Abstract

Adequate micronutrient status during adolescence can break the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition. This study evaluated the effect of community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) on serum ferritin (SF), serum folate (SFol) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) among adolescent girls. A community-based, individually randomized-controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in four villages of Wolaita and Hadiya zones. Adolescent girls (n = 226) aged 10-19 years were recruited and randomly assigned (n = 113/group) into: (i) WIFAS and (ii) control (no intervention) groups. Anthropometry, Hb concentration, and serum ferritin (SF), SFol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) was analyzed at baseline and endline. Baseline Hb, SF, SFol and CRP concentrations were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). About 47-49% of adolescents had marginal iron store (< 50 µg/l). Hb, SF, and SFol concentrations increased in the intervention group, but not in the control group (P < 0.05). Marginal iron store decreased from 49 to 12% after 3-months of WIFAS; whereas, the proportion of adolescents with elevated SF (> 15 µg/l) was slightly higher in the WIFAS than in the control group (P = 0.06). After adjusting for confounding factors in the multiple linear regression model, a three-months WIFAS intervention was associated with an improvement of 4.10 ng/ml in serum folate, 39.1 μg/l in serum ferritin, and 1.2 g/dl in hemoglobin concentration relative to the control group (P < 0.001). WIFAS intervention for three-months was effective in reducing iron and folate deficiency in adolescent girls. Future studies should evaluate the long-term impact of intermittent WIFAS.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAnemiaC-Reactive ProteinChildDietary SupplementsEthiopiaFemaleFerritinsFolic AcidHemoglobinsHumansIronYoung Adult
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations12
Citations/Year3.0
Relative Citation Ratio1.52
NIH Percentile65.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.68
Normalized Score0.70
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