SPRING has developed a series of National Anemia Profiles, which provide a snapshot of a country’s anemia situation. Information is provided on the anemia burden, the policy environment, and program coverage over time. The profiles highlight the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to prevent and control anemia to save lives and improve the well-being of mothers, infants, and children.
HarvestPlus, August 2015
SPRING is supporting the rollout of a micronutrient power (MNP) program among children 6-23 months in one pilot district of Uganda. The program, called the Vitamin and Mineral Powder program, promotes "point-of-use" fortification (also known as home fortification in Uganda). Point-of-use fortification with MNPs has shown to be effective in reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia among children. The success of the program depends on the acceptability of and adherence by caregivers to the product and in the integration into complementary feeding behaviors.
Although national vitamin A campaigns have resulted in over 80% coverage of vitamin A distribution throughout Bangladesh, pregnant and lactating women, infants, and young children still consume diets that are not sufficient in vitamin A, with serious health consequences. On October 5, Bangladesh celebrated the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign across Bangladesh as part of on-going national efforts to raise awareness about diseases that are a result of vitamin A deficiency, mainly night blindness and the need to strengthen children's immune system.
This job aid, developed for village volunteers, includes information on a variety of nutrition practices for mothers and young children. It provides messaging about the importance of antenatal care, proper nutrition during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, post-partum care and newborn contact, and young child health and nutrition. The job aid includes a number of useful visual aids to inform mothers and children.
Despite a growing economy and improvement in living conditions, Cambodia has a higher maternal mortality rate and an equal rate of child under-five mortality compared to Bangladesh. In fact, Cambodian conditions of anemia and micronutrient malnutrition are among the worst in Southeast Asia. This report documents what the available data sources reveal about the conditions of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies, their prevention and treatment in Cambodia.
A Case Study of the Intensification of Maternal and Neonatal Micronutrient Program
The Micronutrients Global Toolkit includes a set of tools developed by the A2Z Project and partners to support governments in their efforts to ensure sustainable Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming program delivery mechanisms. It includes chapters on the Child Anemia Reduction Program tool, the Maternal Anemia Reduction Program tool, and food fortification tools.
This document, produced by the A2Z Project, is a catalogue of guidelines, tools, and training and advocacy materials developed as part of their partnership with Cambodia’s National Nutrition Program. Materials are divided into three categories: 1) Mainstreaming Multiple Micronutrients into the Health System; 2) Expanding Vitamin A Coverage for Children 6-59 Months; 3) Preventing and Treating Maternal Anemia.