Correlates of Iron Deficiency in Women and Children in Rural Communities of Cambodia and Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: Over 2 Billion people globally are estimated to be anemic, primary due to iron deficiency anemia. The prevalence is exacerbated in rural populations, in countries with extreme resource deficiencies resulting in debilitating consequences of impaired health and productivity. In Kenya and Cambodia the national estimates are 69% and 63.4% for children under 5 years. The World Vision MCH strategy is a multifaceted targeted intervention to address major disease burden and under-nutrition including iron deficiency anemia. This study is a collaborative multi-stakeholder research engaging academic research institutions, NGO and Ministry of health to determine the impact of the interventions in Zambia, Cambodia, Kenya and Guatemala. Methods: The study was designed as a mixed methods research using a quasi-experimental design with comparison communities in World Vision's Area Development Programs in  Cambodia and Kenya to explore the determinants of iron deficiency amongst the rural populations  and assess coverage, capacity and quality of the delivery systems for the control of iron deficiency. Total samples of 1,180 mother and child pairs are included in baseline assessments in Cambodia while in Kenya 1582 women and 942 children are included. Results: Applying multi-level modeling, the results will document correlates of iron deficiency, and present a profile of capacity and quality of the services provided. Conclusions: The findings will provide valuable scientific evidence of multi-platform interventions addressing community oriented and health facility focused strategies to enhance service delivery and outcomes for addressing iron deficiency in rural communities with minimal access to care.