Ghana Vitamin A

Guinea

IRON

 Iodine Guinea Bissau
     
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Program Data
Monitoring
Program Resources
     

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA
   
Anemia
Most Recent Anemia Survey -- National  
Date: Sept - Oct 2000
Groups Surveyed: Children 6 - 59 mos, children 5 - 17 yrs, pregnant and non-pregnant women and men 18 - 49 yrs.
Sample Size:

2250 women, 750 men, 1500 children 6-59months, 3000 children 5-18years
Sampling Method: The survey employs a nationally representative multistage probability sample. It  is a transversal, single passage survey with quantitative and qualitative chapters. The survey uses the National Census Bureau population database for sampling.  A total of 2250 households (2250 women, 750 men, 1500 children 6-59months, 3000 children 5-18years) are selected  from 150 sampling areas including rural and urban areas weighted according to population. Anemia is assessed by measuring the hemoglobin level in capillary blood using the photometric Hemocue technique. A thick film is taken from men and for a sub-sample of women venus blood is drawn and serum ferritin and transferrin saturation are determined. Information on socio-economic status, health status, nutritional habits, perceptions and attitudes and anthropometry are collected.
Estimated Anemia Prevalence:   Indicators: non-pregnant women >15 years of age: Hb < 120 g/L
pregnant women of any age: Hb < 110 g/L
men > 15 years of age: Hb < 130 g/L
children 6 - 60 months of age: Hb < 110 g/L
children 5 – 11 years of age: Hb < 115 g/L
children 12 – 14 years of age: Hb < 120 g/

Region/group*

Sample size

Population in  region/group (if known)

Indicator

(e.g. Hb<120g/L, <110g/L, etc.)

Prevalence in sample %
Children 6-59 months

1446

 

<110g/L

 79%
Children 5-9 years

1450

 

<115g/L

 51.7%

Children 10-17 years

1441

 

<120g/L

44.6%

Pregnant women

291

 

<110g/L

63.2%

Non-pregnant women

1887

 

<120g/L

50.3%

Men

716

 

<130g/L

23.4%

 
 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION
Legislation on IDA
   
    

Guinea does not have a policy to address iron deficiency, nor is it being developed.
     The government has not published any documents stating the national policy.  Universally implemented, all pregnant women that attend pre-natal consultation receive the iron/folic acid tablets.
     There is national policy for iron supplementation for pregnant women, but not for children.
     There is no national policy for iron fortification programs, nor is it under consideration.
 
Government Agency to Address IDD
    

Food and Nutrition Section of the Ministry of Public Health and National Nutrition Institute.  This agencies function is coordination and monitoring.
    

Contact information: not reported
     
     

PROGRAM DATA
   
 Supplementation
Program Description - Women

    

There is supplementation with Iron/folate (60mgs/day) tablets for all pregnant women at antenatal clinics.
     Pregnant women receive daily supplementation from the first quarter starting the day of the first antenatal visit, and daily in postpartum period during one month.
     The national program started in 1988.
Program Description - Children
     Anemic children are to be treated according to official procedures
     In practice, parents have to purchase iron syrup or tablets.  School health programmes are targeting primary school children but not nationally (mainly Upper Guinea and Forest Guinea, some Prefectures in other natural regions).
     Iron folate tablets are available in health centers and are distributed by the school health programme (funded by the World Bank)
Fortification
     There is no fortification of iron.
Other Programs
     There are no large scale or national programs to promote improved iron status through dietary change.
     AFRICARE/HKI are conducting a pilot community based program for pregnant women.  It started in 2002.
     There are also school health de-worming programs for primary school children and socal impregnated bed-net promotion.
     
     
 

MONITORING
 
Anemia
Current monitoring activities for iron deficiency anemia:
     Only anemia Yes/No is included in the nationwide health monitoring system.
     The surveys mentioned previously are not currently being repeated.
     There is facility based monitoring of anemia.
     Lab facilities are not available in all the health facilities.
     
     

PROGRAM RESOURCES
Donor and Implementing Agencies

 

Implementing Agency

 

Description of Activities

Expenditure and source of funds in

current year

Supplementation

Fortification

Other (specify)

National/State governments

MOH

 

 

Supplementation of pregnant women

External agencies

UNICEF

50,000

 

 

 

 

Helen Keller International GUINÉE

5,000

20,000

 

 

 

WHO

 

5,000

FRAT survey

 

World Bank

 

 

School health distribution programme

 
Program Funding

 

Year

Iron Activity

 

Total $(000)

 

Supplementation $(000)

 

Fortification $(000)

Other (specify)

Activity

$(000)

1998

 

 

 

 

 

1999

 

 

 

 

 

2000

  

 

survey

65

65

2001

  

10

 

 

 

2002

  

20

 

 

  

2003

  

30

 

 

  

2004

  

30

 

 

  

2005