Iron Deficiency Anemia

Egypt

Vitamin A

iran

Iron

Iodine

Iraq

Date:

1999 - National survey for health and illness

Groups Surveyed:

Men & Women in 4 age groups: 2-14, 15-39, 40-69 & over 70 yrs of age

Sample Size:

47,261

Sampling Method:

not reported

Estimated Anemia Prevalence:

Region/group	Sample size	Population in region/group (if known)	Indicator (e.g. Hb<120g/L, <110g/L, etc.)	Prevalence in sample %
2-14 years – female	7728		Hb <110 for under 6 Hb < 120 g/L for over	14.2
2-14 years – male	8012		Hb <110 for under 6 Hb < 130 g/L for over	15.9
15-39 years - female	12061		Hb < 120 g/L	17.4
15-39 years - male	8548		Hb < 130 g/L	10.2
40-69 years - female	5083		Hb < 120 g/L	17.8
40-69 years - male	4150		Hb < 130 g/L	11.4
Over 70 years - female	811		Hb < 120 g/L	17.1
Over 70 years - male	868		Hb < 130 g/L	23.5

Legislation on IDA

	There is legislation to address iron deficiency in Iran. It was passed in 1983. It calls for iron supplementation for pregnant women and children up to 2 yrs of age.
	This policy has been revised.
	There is national policy on iron supplementation for women and children (6-24 months).
	There is no national policy on iron fortification. Flour fortification with iron and folic acid has been started as a pilot study in one province, Boushehr, a second province for flour fortification is under consideration, probably Sistan and Baluchistan.


Government Agency to Address IDD
	Nutrition department of the MOH: This agency's function is coordination, monitoring and funding.
	Contact information: Not reported


Supplementation - (Women)


Capsule Information
	Ferrous Sulfate tablets with 55 mg of elemental iron.


Implementation
	Supplements are distributed in health facilities.
	The intended frequency of supplementation is daily intake from the 4^th month of gestation till 3 months postpartum.
	The overall number of capsules distributed is approximately 230 million tablets annually.
	The national program started in 1983.


Supplementation - (Children)
Targeting
	All children from 6 to 24 mos of age

Capsule Information
	Iron drops - approximately 38 million drops per year

Implementation
	Supplements are distributed in health facilities.
	The intended frequency of supplementation is daily for 18 months.
	The national program started in 1983.


Fortification
	Bread is piloted in one region and wheat four fortification is piloted in one province.
	The amount of iron fortificant that is being produced is 30 ton/year.

Dietary Change
	There is a national campaign to promote improved iron status via dietary change.
	a
Other Programs
	Iron supplementation for adolescent school-girls has been started in 6 districts, with ferrous sulfate tablets given twice a week in school.
	Every person in the rural areas of Iran being suspected of malaria will be tested by taking blood smears by the CHW, and referred to the health centers if the smear is positive for plasmodium.

Anemia
Current monitoring activities for iron deficiency anemia:
	The surveys mentioned previously are not being repeated.
	There is no community-based monitoring of anemia.
	There are lab facilities for Hb estimates.

Donor and Implementing Agencies

Implementing Agency	Description of Activities	Expenditure and source of funds in current year
Implementing Agency	Description of Activities	Supplementation	Fortification	Other (specify)
National/State governments	Ministry of Health, Nutrition Department	*	*
External agencies	UNICEF AND WHO		*

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA