Iron fortification of domestic drinking water to prevent anemia among low socioeconomic families in Brazil

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia is a most common micronutrient deficiency affecting mostly the low socioeconomic populations of the developing world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of iron fortification of household drinking water to prevent iron deficiency anaemia among members of the low socioeconomic families of Southern Brazil. A total of 21 low socioeconomic families representing 88 subjects including 1–6 years old children whose haemoglobin level was between 10 and 12g/dl were selected to participate in this study. Nine families in the control group were supplied with placebo solution and 12 families in the experimental group were supplied iron solution with ascorbic acid to be added to their domestic drinking water over a period of 4 months. The feasibility and acceptability of iron fortified drinking water was assessed through home visits and questionnaires. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and after 4 months of the study for the determination of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. The results of this study indicated that iron fortified drinking water was well received by the low socioeconomic families and that it was effective in improving the haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. It can be concluded from this study that iron fortification of household drinking water is a simple and effective alternative for developing countries along with other technological approaches to iron fortification of foods.