Prenatal iron supplementation in rural Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential impact of a national iron supplementation programme in rural Vietnam.

METHODS

The study included questionnaires, focus group discussions of pregnant women and key informant interviews, together with measurements of haemoglobin (Hb) and a stool examination for soil-transmitted helminths.

RESULTS

Iron supplementation significantly increased Hb concentration among participants in the second and third trimesters by 0.4 and 0.7 g/dl, respectively (P=0.017 and P<0.001). The risk of anaemia (Hb <10.0 g/dl) was increased significantly by hookworm infestation (P=0.041) and in summer season (P=0.001) and was decreased significantly by taking iron tablets (P=0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that an iron supplementation programme is beneficial as a part of a comprehensive anaemia programme for pregnant women in these communities. These results will be useful for developing improved iron-deficiency anaemia control programs for pregnant women.