Food and Nutrition Bulletin
Volume 32, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 286-291

Relationship of the availability of micronutrient powder with iron status and hemoglobin among women and children in the Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya (Article)

Ndemwa P. , Klotz C.L. , Mwaniki D. , Sun K. , Muniu E. , Andango P. , Owigar J. , Rah J.H. , Kraemer K. , Spiegel P.B. , Bloem M.W. , De Pee S. , Semba R.D.*
  • a Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
  • b World Food Programme, Rome, Italy
  • c Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
  • d Sight and Life, Basel, Switzerland
  • e Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
  • f Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
  • g World Food Programme, Rome, Italy
  • h Sight and Life, Basel, Switzerland
  • i Sight and Life, Basel, Switzerland
  • j United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
  • k World Food Programme, Rome, Italy
  • l World Food Programme, Rome, Italy
  • m School of Medicine, Smith Building, Johns Hopkins University, M015, 400 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States

Abstract

Background. Micronutrient powder is a potential strategy to improve iron status and reduce anemia in refugee populations. Objective. To evaluate the effect of the availability of home fortification with a micronutrient powder containing 2.5 mg of sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) on iron status and hemoglobin in women and children in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwest Kenya. Methods. Hemoglobin and soluble transferrin receptor were measured in 410 children 6 to 59 months of age and 458 women of childbearing age at baseline (just before micronutrient powder was distributed, along with the regular food ration) and at midline (6 months) and endline (13 months) follow-up visits. Results. At the baseline, midline, and endline visits, respectively, the mean (± SE) hemoglobin concentration in women was 121.4 ± 0.8, 120.8 ± 0.9, and 120.6 ± 1.0 g/L (p = .42); the prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 120 g/L) was 42.6%, 41.3%, and 41.7% (p = .92); and the mean soluble transferrin receptor concentration was 24.1 ± 0.5, 20.7 ± 0.7, and 20.8 ± 0.7 nmol/L (p = .0006). In children, the mean hemoglobin concentration was 105.7 ± 0.6, 109.0 ± 1.5, and 105.5 ± 0.3 g/L (p = .95), respectively; the prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) was 55.5%, 52.3%, and 59.8% (p = .26); and the mean soluble transferrin receptor concentration was 36.1 ± 0.7, 29.5 ± 1.9, and 28.4 ± 3.2 nmol/L (p = .02), in models that were adjusted for age using least squares means regression. Conclusions. In children and in women of childbearing age, the availability of micronutrient powder was associated with a small improvement in iron status but no significant change in hemoglobin in this refugee camp setting. Copyright © Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Women Iron Children Refugees Micronutrient powder Hemoglobin Anemia

Index Keywords

iron refugee Kenya child health nutritional status childbearing EDTA nutrient availability biochemical composition anemia
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80052718524&doi=10.1177%2f156482651103200314&partnerID=40&md5=c48e8136bd0ee87a2f82bd3d147a1987
DOI: 10.1177/156482651103200314
ISSN: 03795721
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English