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.

摘要: Adequate micronutrient status during adolescence can break the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition. This study evaluated effect community-based weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFAS) on serum ferritin (SF), folate (SFol) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) among adolescent girls. A community-based, individually randomized-controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in four villages Wolaita Hadiya zones. Adolescent girls (n = 226) aged 10-19 years were recruited randomly assigned (n = 113/group) into: (i) WIFAS (ii) control (no intervention) groups. Anthropometry, Hb concentration, SFol, C-reactive protein (CRP) analyzed at baseline endline. Baseline Hb, SF, SFol CRP concentrations similar both groups (P > 0.05). About 47-49% adolescents had marginal iron store (  15 µg/l) slightly higher than group (P = 0.06). After adjusting for confounding factors multiple linear regression model, a three-months intervention associated with an improvement 4.10 ng/ml folate, 39.1 μg/l ferritin, 1.2 g/dl relative to (P < 0.001). effective reducing deficiency Future studies should evaluate long-term impact intermittent WIFAS.