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Iron supplementation in Children [message #1819] Thu, 03 April 2014 18:38
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Proposal for Changes in the DHS Model Women's Questionnaire Submitted to DHS

Submitted by CDC, SPRING, World Food Programme, UNICEF, Micronutrient Initiative, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Sight and Life, UC Davis, Hospital for Sick Children, and the Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group

REVISIONS: Making recommendations to revise the wording of existing questions: Provide the suggested change in question wording or response categories, and the rationale for the change.

Existing question #512:
In the last seven days, was (NAME) given iron pills, Sprinkles with iron, or iron syrup like (this/any of these) SHOW COMMON TYPES OF PILLS/SPRINKLES/ SYRUPS.
Response options are Yes = 1, No = 2, Don't know = 8

Suggested revisions and rationale for question #512 wording:
1.We propose that the word "Sprinkles" be changed to micronutrient powder. "Sprinkles" is one of multiple trademarked brand names whereas micronutrient powder (MNP) is the generic name of this commodity.

2.In cases where a local brand name has been developed for the micronutrient powder (85% of implemented MNP interventions in 2011 (UNICEF-CDC 2013)), the name(s) should be included as examples. Note that in some countries multiple interventions distribute MNPs using different brand names (locally developed names and/or brand names of major manufacturers for example, Sprinkles, MixMe, Chispitas)

3.We propose the order of the list of interventions should be changed so that the iron only supplements are read first and then the question ends with MNP, alternatively MNP could be asked first.

4.It is unnecessary to say "micronutrient powders with iron" as many participants will not know if the MNP contains iron and all formulations used in public health programs include iron (UNICEF-CDC 2013). If there is concern the formulation may not contain iron, then the MNP formulations used in public health programs in the country could be verified to include iron prior to data collection as formulations are typically printed on the back of sachets. In the case of a formulation not including iron, further change to the question wording could exclude the brand of MNP that does not include iron or separately ask about it and list as an additional response option.

Suggested revisions to question response options for #512:
1.We propose changing the response options so that a Yes or No response is elicited for each type of supplement. Use may vary considerably by type and this information is more useful for individual programs and the global community if it is reported separately.

New suggested question and response options for #512:
In the last seven days, was (NAME) given iron pills, iron syrup or micronutrient powders like (this/any of these).
SHOW COMMON TYPES OF PILLS/SYRUPS/MICRONUTRIENT POWDERS. ASK ABOUT USE OF EACH TYPE (PILLS/SYRUPS/MICRONUTRIENT POWDERS) IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS

Iron pills Yes No Don't know
Iron syrups Yes No Don't know
Micronutrient Powder Yes No Don't know

Note:
1. Confirm in country whether the age ranges for the iron only supplementation programs (pills/syrups) and MNP programs are the same. Also, take into consideration that the age range for MNP programs in young children varies globally, and might involve different age groups within countries so this should also be verified (UNICEF-CDC 2013).
2. Please always include examples of each commodity (pills, syrups, MNP) used in a country and not just examples of one and not the others (e.g., examples of MNP and not iron pills if both are used in country).


The Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group (HF-TAG) is a global network comprised of organizations implementing or supporting the scale-up of home fortification programs, including micronutrient powders. It includes UN agencies, NGOs, manufacturers of home fortification products, and academic institutions.

UNICEF-CDC. Global Assessment of Home Fortification Interventions, 2011. Geneva: Home Fortification Technical Advisory Group, 2013.

[Updated on: Thu, 03 April 2014 18:43]

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