Iron and Folate Deficiency in Women of Child Bearing Age from the Ages of 15-30 years Living in the Eastern Region of Trinidad

Rationale

• Research has shown that approximately 25 % of women between the ages of 15-30 are deficient in iron and folate.

• In 2007 it was reported that there was a 45% increase in the number women in the Eastern region of Trinidad who have been medically diagnosed as being either anaemic or both iron and folate deficient.

• Due to a lack of sufficient data there has not been any definite reason for this nutritional problem.

• A community needs assessment was conducted in this community targeting women within the age range of 15-30 years of age residing in the Eastern region of Trinidad.

• The overall goal of this assessment was to determine the factors affecting women in the community consumption of iron and folate in their diet, to encourage consumption of such nutrients and to assess their knowledge of and attitudes towards these micro nutrients

• Data was be collected using Four(4) methods:1) Biochemical Screening2) Interviews with Key Informants3) Twenty- Four Recalls4) Food Frequency Questionnaires

A FIGHT AGAINST IRON AND FOLATE DEFIECNECY

This program was developed due to the finding of the needs assessment which showed the following:

1) Inadequate consumption of foods rich in iron and/ or folate in the diet.

2) Inadequate knowledge of satisfactory meal preparation.

3) Unavailability of food sources rich in iron and folate in the local markets, supermarkets and shops.

4) Insufficient money for food purchasing food items

Goal

• To reduce the number of cases of iron and folate deficiency in women of child bearing age (15-30) living in the Eastern Territory of Trinidad.

Objectives

• To develop lecture sessions, demonstrations and educational electronic and print materials that are tailored the needs and characteristics of the women aged 15-30 years living in the Eastern Territory of Trinidad.

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the lecture sessions, demonstrations and educational, electronic and print materials on improving the knowledge of iron and folate in terms of what they are, their functions in the body and their sources.

• To revise the elements of the health campaign based on the findings of the evaluation study.

• By the year 2015, increase the knowledge of iron and folate in terms of what they are, their function in the body and their food sources among women aged 15-30 years living in the Easter Region of Trinidad

• By 2015, increase consumption of iron and folate-rich foods by 15% among the target population.

• By 2015, reduce iron and folate deficiencies to less than 10% among the target population

• To counsel women in the target population on the methods of meal preparation which will release the nutritive benefits of iron and folate rich foods through monthly sessions at health and community centres

Intervention Programs

• The nutrition education programs which will be implemented will span a period for a period of 12 months and will include the following:

1) Lecture Presentations

2) Video Presentations

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