Iron supplementation on the hemoglobin levels of pregant women in Kenya
Over the years, prenatal iron supplementation has been the customary recommendation in addressing maternal anemia especially in developing countries for over thirty years (1). Currently, documented evidence indicates that iron deficiency is a risk factor for anemia during pregnancy and can lead to either preterm delivery, low birth weight or an inferior neonatal health outcome (2, 3). According to Pena-Rosas (4), raising iron levels by supplementation results in an increased level of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin level in this regard is dependent on the dosage of iron taken. However, it is still unclear the ideal level in which iron supplements can reduce anemia (5). However, documented evidence suggests that supplementation with iron is insufficient in addressing anemia in pregnant women (6). This is because of the unclear physiological benefits that come with iron supplementation. In this regard, recommendations to address the anemia issue include fortification of foods alongside preventing and treatment of causative factors of anemia.
Rationale of the proposed research
The long term goal of the proposed research is to help reduce the incidence of anemia in pregnant women by increasing knowledge on the public health and nutritional issue. The rationale behind the project development liesfsyste in the paucity of information regarding the hemoglobin levels of mothers upon intake of iron supplements in the course of pregnancy especially in developing countries, precisely in Kenya. Even though iron supplementation has been adopted as the standard procedure in addressing anemia in pregnant mothers in developing countries(1) documents, the efficacy of such supplementation remain vague. This research aims to fill this gap.
Gaps that the project is intended to fill
Limited studies have focused on the effect of taking iron supplements on the hemoglobin levels of pregnant mothers. Majority of research work appraising iron supplementation in pregnant women largely focus on health outcomes of the mothers (including anemia) and the incidence of postnatal anemia. This research will however appraise the effect on hemoglobin levels on these women. Furthermore, research work on the proposed area is limited in developing nations (1). This is despite the fact that developing countries constitute the largest number of pregnant women presenting with low hemoglobin levels. Consequentially, the research will appraise the efficacy of prenatal iron supplements on the hemoglobin levels of pregnant women in developing countries and in so doing, insights into this public health issue will be gained.
Potential contribution of the proposed research
There is paucity of information regarding the correspondence between hemoglobin levels in pregnant women and iron supplementation. The limited information in this pertinent public health issue is more pronounced in developing countries. Consequentially, the proposed research work will contribute in adding knowledge and insights on the topical issue. Furthermore, the research project may contribute to policy formulations in developing countries with regard to maternal and child health. Evidence based practice is effectual in not only policy formulation but also in decision making (7). Finally, upon completion of the project and witnessed project success, upscaling the work is plausible alongside relevant stakeholders and this will contribute in offering healthcare employment opportunities especially for community public health workers who are the prime grass roots drivers of the project. In this regard, the project will help in addressing the unemployment issue in developing countries. Furthermore, by combating anemia in pregnant women in developing countries, the high incidence and adverse health outcomes that come with anemic mothers include fetal damage will be averted and hence the pertinent public health issue of anemia will be addressed.
References
West KP, Shamim AA, Mehra S, Labrique AB, Ali H, Shaikh S, Hanif AA. Effect of Maternal Multiple Micronutrient vs Iron–Folic Acid Supplementation on Infant Mortality and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Rural Bangladesh: The JiVitA- 3 Randomized Trial. JAMA, 312(24), 2014: 2649-2658.
Moin A, Lassi ZS. Can routine screening and iron supplementation for iron deficiency anemia in nonsymptomatic pregnant women improve maternal and infant health outcomes?. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 4(3), 2015:333-335.
Lee AI, Okam MM. Anemia in pregnancy. Hematology/oncology clinics of North America, 25(2), 2011: 241-259.
Pena-Rosas JP, De-Regil LM, Dowswell T,Viteri FE. Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy (Review). 2012
Beck KL, Conlon CA, Kruger R, Coad J. Dietary determinants of and possible solutions to iron deficiency for young women living in industrialized countries: a review. Nutrients, 6(9), 2014:3747-3776.
Chaudhery D, Kaushik S, Pendame R. Revitalizing Iron Folic Acid (IFA) Supplementation for Pregnant Women: Current Trends and Opportunities Based on Multi-country Formative Assessments. 2015.
Buysse V, Winton PJ, Rous BE, Epstein DJ, Lim CI. Evidence-based practice. Zero Three, 32. 2012: 25-29.
