| Methods |
Design: 3‐arm, randomised experimental trial
Unit of randomisation: individual level |
| Participants |
Setting/location: poor communities in urban areas of Delhi and rural parts of Bharatpu
Sample size: 270 adolescent girls
Age range: not available
Inclusion criterion: haemoglobin levels of > 12 g/dL
Exclusion criteria: not available |
| Interventions |
Participants were allocated to 1 of 4 groups.
Group 1 (n = 83): girls received 1 tablet with 100 mg of elemental iron plus 500 μg (0.5 mg) of folic acid once a week. Group 2 (n = 95): girls received 1 tablet with 100 mg of elemental iron, 500 μg (0.5 mg) of folic acid and 25 mg of vitamin C once a week. Group 3 (n = 37): girls received 1 tablet of iron‐folic acid (100 mg of elemental iron + 500 μg (0.5 mg) of folic acid) daily. Group 4 (n = 55): urban control group (unclear if received no intervention or a placebo).
Length of the intervention: 6 months
For the purposes of this review, we combined groups 1 and 3, separating them only for the subgroup analysis by composition. |
| Outcomes |
Anthropopmetric measures Anaemia Change in haemoglobin |
| Notes |
Comment:
In school, tablets were distributed weekly to the participants by a research worker immediately after lunch time so that they were not taken on an empty stomach. The intake of the tablets by the participants was assured by a helper. In the rural area, 2 field workers were responsible for the distribution and ensuring intake of tablets by the participants only after brunch. Malaria endemicity was not reported. Student awaiting assessment until receiving more information about the study design and groups as it was unclear the number of people leaving in rural/urban areas and there was a clear imbalance between study arms. Age of participants was not available to see if the study met inclusion criteria. We attempted to contact the authors to obtain further information on this trial but received no response at the time of publication.
Study start date: not available
Study end date: not available
Funding source: not available
Conflicts of interest: not available |
