Positive impact of a weekly iron-folic acid supplement delivered with social marketing to Cambodian women: compliance, participation, and hemoglobin levels increase with higher socioeconomic status.
A social marketing program promoting weekly iron-folic acid supplementation improved hemoglobin levels in women of reproductive age in Cambodia. Supplementation was increasingly effective among women of higher socioeconomic status (SES). Among higher SES schoolgirls, 58% took the supplements, compared with 49% for lower SES (P = 0.07). Garment factory workers with an 11th- or 12th-grade education had a mean improvement in hemoglobin of 0.72 g/dL over those with a 5th-grade education or less (P = 0.04). The percentage of rural village women taking supplements increased with increasing SES (linear trend P = 0.046). These results suggest that women with lower SES be given special attention for future programs.
Crape
Byron L
BL
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. crapeb@guy.paho.org
Kenefick
Eric
E
Cavalli-Sforza
Tommaso
T
Busch-Hallen
Jennifer
J
Milani
Silvano
S
Kanal
Koum
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012923:Social Class; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid