Re: Phase-8 core questionnaire - iron supplementation question [message #22012 is a reply to message #22011] |
Tue, 19 January 2021 15:13  |
Bridgette-DHS
Messages: 3230 Registered: February 2013
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Senior Member |
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Following is an answer by Senior Nutrition Analysis & Research Manager, Sorrel Namaste:
The reference period for iron supplementation in children has changed from 'Children given iron supplements in past 7 days,' in DHS-7 to 'Children given iron supplements in last 12 months' in DHS-8 to better align with global guidelines on iron regimens. Depending on the prevalence of anemia, age of the child, and the type of supplementation, the recommended schedule and duration of iron supplementation varies. A reference period of 12 months encompasses both a daily and intermittent schedule for administering iron and different durations for administering iron within a one year period. For more information on the specific iron regimens recommended by WHO, please refer to the WHO e-Library of Evidence for Nutrition Actions (eLENA) which can be found here.
Note that in DHS-8, iron tablets/syrups and iron-containing micronutrient powders are asked about separately in countries that provide both of these interventions. The indicators are then presented as the 'percentage of children age 6-59 months who were given iron tablets or syrup in the last 12 months,' the 'percentage of children age 6-59 months who were given iron-containing micronutrient powders in the last 12 months,' and 'percentage of children age 6-59 months given iron-containing supplements in the last 12 months' for which iron-containing is defined as tablets, syrup, or micronutrient powders.
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