Evaluating the Impact of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements on Adolescent Anemia: The 'Every Girl Can - Improve Nutrition' Project in Nampula

Meet the group of girls evaluated on the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) as part of the 'Every Girl Can - Improve Nutrition (EGC-IN)' project.

Monday, October 14, 2024

An estimate of 280 girls aged 13-20 are taking part in the final evaluation (endline study) to assess the acceptability, feasibility, reliability and effectiveness of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) as part of the “Every Girl Can - Improve Nutrition (EGC-IN)” project launched in June 2023 with support from the Government of Canada for the province of Nampula.

The project compared the effect of using MMS versus Ferrous Sulfate pills to treat iron deficiency anemia in adolescent girls. All the girls involved in the study, were tested for anemia before they started taking the supplements. The baseline data indicated that 98% of the girls had some degree of anemia (49.4% mild anemia, 48% moderate anemia and 1.8% severe anemia). Only 0.7% of the 280 adolescent girls involved in this study were not anemic.

A group of adolescent girls photographed from an aerial view.

The study covers girls from three secondary schools in the Monapo district who, during the analysis period, benefited from a series of additional interventions aimed at contributing to improve the nutritional status through the creation of 28 IMPACT+ Clubs, three (3) service projects (latrines for girls, school garden, circle of interest - living room and kitchens for cooking demonstrations).

The results of this study will be presented to the different stakeholders and then shared with the Government of Mozambique, especially the Ministry of Health, as a way of advocating for greater investment in the problem of anemia in adolescent girls in the province of Nampula, currently among the highest in the country.

Anemia in adolescents can have several significant implications, affecting both physical health and cognitive and emotional development.  Anemia can impair learning ability and school performance, it can cause fatigue, weakness and reduced physical capacity, which can limit participation in sports and other physical activities that are important for healthy development.