Acceptability and Feasibility of Micronutrient Powders Versus Iron Syrup for Anemia Prevention in Young Children

Emory University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Anemia

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Iron and Folic Acid (IFA); Dietary Supplement: Micronutrient Powders (MNP); Behavioral: Iron Plus Strategy Counseling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02610881

IRB00081930

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study seeks to assess the acceptability, compliance, and preference for iron supplementation; micronutrient powders (MNP) versus iron syrup. Additionally, this study seeks to assess front line health worker perceptions and experiences regarding ease of implementation of each strategy and delivery strategy preference.

Full description

The specific aims of this study are to assess the acceptability of, compliance, and preference for two delivery vehicles for pediatric prophylaxis iron supplementation (micronutrient powders (MNP) that contain iron versus iron syrup) among rural households in Bihar India delivered through home visits by front line health workers. Additionally, this study seeks to assess front line health worker perceptions and experiences regarding ease of implementation of each strategy and delivery strategy preference.

Enrollment: 110 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 23 months old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Singleton Children or one child per home

Exclusion criteria

• Currently taking iron supplements
• Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) or less than 11.5 cm
• Suspected severe anemia
• Known case of haemoglobinopathy
• History of repeated blood transfusion
• Current pneumonia
• Current fever
• Acute diarrhea

Trial design

110 participants in 2 patient groups

Iron and Folic Acid (IFA)/Micronutrient Powders (MNP)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive iron and folic acid (IFA) drops for one month followed by a two week washout period. Participants will then receive micronutrient powders (MNP) for one month. Mothers of participants will receive counseling on the benefits of iron intake, side effects of IFA, and preservation of IFA bottles and MNP sachets.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Iron Plus Strategy Counseling

Dietary Supplement: Micronutrient Powders (MNP)

Dietary Supplement: Iron and Folic Acid (IFA)

Micronutrient Powders (MNP)/Iron and Folic Acid (IFA)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive micronutrient powders (MNP) for one month followed by a two week washout period. Participants will then receive iron and folic acid (IFA) drops for one month. Mothers of participants will receive counseling on the benefits of iron intake, side effects of IFA, and preservation of IFA bottles and MNP sachets.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Iron Plus Strategy Counseling

Dietary Supplement: Micronutrient Powders (MNP)

Dietary Supplement: Iron and Folic Acid (IFA)