A review of the maternal iron and folic acid supplementation programme in Nepal: Achievements and challenges.

ABSTRACT: In the late 1990s, an estimated 75% of pregnant women in Nepal were anaemic. Although iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements were available free of charge, coverage among pregnant women was very low. In response, the Government of Nepal launched the Iron Intensification Programme (IIP) in 2003 to improve the coverage of IFA supplementation and anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy, as well as promote the utilization of antenatal care. This review examined how the IIP programme contributed to Nepal's success in increasing the consumption of IFA supplements during pregnancy. Nepal's cadre of Female Community Health Volunteers were engaged in the IIP to support the community-based distribution of IFA supplements to pregnant women and complement IFA distribution through health facilities and

SUBMITTER: Paudyal N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8770647 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature