Iron supplementation during pregnancy
What is the effect of prenatal iron supplementation on the hemoglobin levels of pregnant women in developing countries?
Justification
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 (Moin and Lassi, 2015; Lee and Okam, 2011).
Intake of Iron supplements during pregnancy is hitherto, a challenge to most women in developing counties as Pena et al., (2012) and Alam, et al., (2015) documents. Numerous research in this regard have been conducted especially research work focusing on adherence to iron supplement during pregnant and the effects of supplementation on the mother and infant. However, few studies have considered how iron supplementation affects the hemoglobin levels of mothers in the course of pregnancy especially in developing countries.
Problem
Researchers have for years explored the effect and outcomes of iron supplementation during and after pregnancy. Correlations between ironic intake and the onset of anemia have thus been made. Few studies have equally appraised the effects of iron supplementation in developing countries.
Research Gap
In as much as research work in the area of maternal health and nutrition has largely focused on the effect of ironic supplementation and the onset of anemia, few studies have assessed the hemoglobin status of women during pregnancy, more so in developing countries.
This proposal however seeks to fill this gap by establishing the efficacy of iron supplements on maternal hematological condition during pregnancy. An increased need for iron supplementation exists among nearly all pregnant women, a need that diet alone cannot meet (Beck, et al., 2014). Unfortunately, lack of iron intake can lead to anemia for this women. Adherence to iron intake is however, still a challenge for many pregnant women.
Aim:
The main aim of this research is to establish the efficacy of prenatal iron supplements on the hemoglobin levels of pregnant women in developing countries. In order to achieve the study’s objective, the methodology will pool data from randomized control trials in the select study area. Meta-analysis of these data will then be conducted.
The research will thus offer more insights into the effectiveness of iron supplementation amongst pregnant women in developing countries. The long term goal of the research is to help reduce the incidence of anemia in pregnant women by increasing knowledge on the health issue.
References
Alam, A., Rasheed, S., Khan, N. U., Sharmin, T., Huda, T. M., Arifeen, S. E., & Dibley, M. J. (2015). How can formative research inform the design of an iron-folic acid supplementation intervention starting in first trimester of pregnancy in Bangladesh?. BMC public health, 15(1), 1.
Beck, K. L., Conlon, C. A., Kruger, R., & Coad, J. (2014). Dietary determinants of and possible solutions to iron deficiency for young women living in industrialized countries: a review. Nutrients, 6(9), 3747-3776.
Lee, A. I., & Okam, M. M. (2011). Anemia in pregnancy. Hematology/oncology clinics of North America, 25(2), 241-259.
Moin, A., & Lassi, Z. S. (2015). 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), 333.
Pena-Rosas, J. P., De-Regil, L. M., Dowswell, T., & Viteri, F. E. (2012). Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy (Review).
