Integrated Anemia Prevention and Control
MCSP supported an integrated package of interventions — including iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements, malaria control (IPTp-SP), and deworming — to prevent and control maternal anemia. We expanded work begun under USAID’s predecessor Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program to improve rollout and compliance of an integrated package for anemia, as part of the World Health Organization Antenatal Care Guidelines. MCSP worked with countries to address demand and supply-side issues and continued to spearhead the K4Health Integrated Anemia Prevention and Control Toolkit. Community-based distribution was explored as a channel to increase coverage of IFA.
Key highlights include:
- MCSP authored a nutrition brief and associated peer-reviewed article, which provide a global review of community-based distribution of IFA supplementation experiences.
- In Kenya, the Program conducted a formative assessment to determine barriers to IFA and anemia programming.
- In Pakistan, MCSP conducted a study to assess supply and demand for IFA supplementation and quality of infant and young child feeding counseling in Jamshoro and Thatta districts.
- In collaboration with the President’s Malaria Initiative, the Program developed a brief on integrated anemia programming for maternal anemia and malaria.
