Dual fortification of salt with iron and iodine in women and children in rural Ghana.
OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of double-fortified salt (DFS) on the anaemia and iodine deficiency (ID) status of women and their children.


METHODS
Double-blind randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Sekyere West District of Ghana.


METHODS
In this eight-month trial, mildly anaemic or non-anaemic, non-pregnant, non-lactating women were randomised into three groups receiving: DFS plus weekly placebo (n = 61); iodised salt plus weekly 70 mg iron supplement (n = 65); or iodised salt (IS) plus weekly placebo (control group, n = 58). Correspondingly, their mildly anaemic and non-anaemic children aged 1-5 years were randomised into two groups receiving either the DFS (n = 23) or IS alone (control group, n = 59).


RESULTS
At the end of the intervention, prevalence of anaemia in women remained unchanged in the DFS or IS plus weekly iron supplement group, but significantly increased by 19.5% in the control group (P = 0.039). In children, prevalence of anaemia in the DFS group significantly decreased by 21.7% (P = 0.025) while no change was observed in the control group. ID decreased significantly in all groups of women (P < 0.001) and children (P < 0.05), with no difference among groups of women and children.


CONCLUSIONS
While the use of DFS prevented anaemia in women, it had a significant role in both the prevention and treatment of anaemia in children. Both the DFS and IS significantly reduced ID in women and children to a similar degree.
Asibey-Berko
E
E
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana,
Zlotkin
S H
SH
Yeung
G S
GS
Nti-Nimako
W
W
Ahunu
B
B
Kyei-Faried
S
S
Johnston
J L
JL
Tondeur
M C
MC
Mannar
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine; D007501:Iron