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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Aïssa Mamadoultaïbou, HKI/Niger, Helen Keller International, P.O. Box 11728, Niamey, Niger, 227 75 3314, amadoul@intnet.ne
Project: Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem for children in Niger and over 17,000 lives of children under 5 can be saved a year with vitamin A interventions (PROFILES). Anemia is also a major public health problem for women and children. In addition to food-based actions, large-scale supplementation is required to quickly respond to the public health problem. In 1997 and 1998 vitamin A was added to National Immunization Days (NIDs), reaching over 90% of children 6-59 months. Maintaining the momentum of these campaigns and ensuring the second annual dose of vitamin A are major challenges. A decision was taken among the health partners to undertake National Micronutrient Days (NMDs) in 1999 to complement NIDs and sustain the high coverage rates achieved.
Setting: The NMDs focused on distributing vitamin A capsules to children 6-59 months and women post-partum, and iron/folate tablets to pregnant women.
Partners: Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, the Micronutrient Initiative, Rotary International, USAID, Leiner Health Products, and Helen Keller International
Results: Coverage of 80% of children 6-59 months, 59% of women in post partum with vitamin A, and 63% of pregnant women with iron/folate tablets. The success of this campaign has led the NIDs in 2000 to become full NIDs/National Micronutrient Days with a similar success rate.
Conclusion: Using NMDs as a strategy to deliver vitamin A supplements has proven to be effective at maintaining a high coverage rate. A number of countries in West Africa are seeking to replicate Niger’s experience.
Additional Authors: Shawn Baker, Harouna Hamani, Boukari Amadou
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Public Health Policy, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Helen Keller International
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment