A randomised trial in Mali of the effectiveness of weekly iron supplements given by teachers on the haemoglobin concentrations of schoolchildren.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect on the haemoglobin concentrations of schoolchildren of weekly iron tablets administered by teachers.


METHODS
Sixty schools were randomly assigned to two groups: in 30 schools children were given weekly for 10 weeks a tablet providing 65 mg of iron and 0.25 mg of folic acid; in the other 30 schools no iron tablets were given. All children were dewormed and given vitamin A before the study began. The haemoglobin concentration of up to 20 randomly selected children in each school was estimated before and 2 weeks after the end of treatment.


METHODS
Rural community schools in Kolondieba district of Mali.


METHODS
Some 1113 schoolchildren aged 6-19 years with a mean of 11.4 years.


RESULTS
The haemoglobin concentration of treated children rose on average by 1.8 g l(-1) and the prevalence of anaemia fell by 8.2%; in untreated children the haemoglobin concentration fell by an average of -2.7 g l(-1) and the prevalence of anaemia rose by 9.4%. The fall in haemoglobin concentration among untreated girls of -4.0 g l(-1) was greater than in untreated boys (-0.3 g l(-1) ).


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly iron tablets given by teachers prevented a general fall in the haemoglobin concentrations of untreated children, and led to a small but statistically significant rise among treated children. Young children benefited more than children aged >or=12 years, and girls benefited more than boys.
Hall
Andrew
A
Helen Keller International, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Roschnik
Natalie
N
Ouattara
Fatimata
F
Touré
Idrissa
I
Maiga
Fadima
F
Sacko
Moussa
M
Moestue
Helen
H
Bendech
Mohamed Ag
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008302:Mali; D012574:Schools
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary