Evaluation Of The Effect Of Multiple-micronutrient Sprinkles Supplementation On Improving The Health Status Of Infants And Young Children In Rural Areas Of Inner Mongolia

[Background] Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a world-wide public health problem. It has become the most common nutritional disease because of its high prevalence, especially in developing countries.IDA exist around the world and children aged6to24months are high risk population. Many studies on the application of multiple-micronutrient showed that multiple-micronutrient supplementation which contains a variety of minerals and vitamins can play the same role as Ferrous sulfate on anemia treatment and prevention for children under2years. Multiple-micronutrient can be used to carry out community-based interventions to control anemia in areas where IDA has a high prevalence. Relevant researches are rare in china, and a few studies explored the effect of soybean powder or milk powder based multiple micronutrients supplementation on improving anemia status. Little is known about the effect of multiple-micronutrient sprinkles. Therefore, the study of the effect of multiple-micronutrient sprinkles on improving the health status of children has significant meaning.[Objective] To investigate the anemia status and its influencing factors among children aged6～24months in rural areas of Inner Mongolia. And investigate the effect of multiple-micronutrient sprinkles on prevent IDA, improving disease resistance and physical development of infants.[Methods] Stratified random cluster sampling method was used to investigate a total of1364children aged6～24months and their parents in four countries (Muolidawa, Elunchun, Arong and Zhalantun) of Inner Mongolia. After the base-line survey, the four counties were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. At baseline survey, anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin of the children were measured. Information on children’s demographic characteristics and diet information were obtained through questionnaires interviews with caregivers. After baseline survey, children in the intervention group received multiple micronutrient sprinkles in addition to the regular feeding, while the control group only with the regular feeding. Post-intervention evaluation was conducted four mothers after the intervention among the follow-up children to compare the health status of children. SPSS17.0was used to analyze data.[Results]1. The prevalence rate of anemia among children aged6～24months was45.0%in rural areas of Inner Mongolia. Anemia prevalence rate was55.2%among children aged6-11months,50.5%among children aged12～17months and31.9%among children aged18～24months.2. After the intervention, the anemia prevalence rate in intervention group deceased from46.6%to37.5%and the change was statistically significant (χ2=11.376, P=0.001). while the prevalence rate in control group increased(χ2=4.252, P=0.047). Anemia status improved greater for infants who had been taking multiple-micronutrient sprinkles continuously or always than those who had been taking occasionally. Taking multiple-micronutrient sprinkles3months or more was better for improving anemia status than those taking1or2months.3. The prevalence rate of2week upper respiratory infection declined from43.2%to25.3%in the intervention group, which was equal before and after intervention in the control group (χ2=0.000, P=1.000).The intervention group has a higher value of weight for age Z-score difference before and after intervention than the control group (t=2.238, P=0.025).4. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ethnic Han and exclusive breastfeeding6months was the risk factor related to anemia. Taking micronutrients, child’s age, the frequency of complementing milk and mother’s high education were the positive factors.[Conclusions] The prevalence rate of anemia among children aged6～24months in rural areas of Inner Mongolia is high. Multiple-micronutrient sprinkles supplementation can effectively reduce the prevalence of anemia in infants and young children as well as improve appetite boost resistance and enhance the physical. In conclusion, multiple-micronutrient sprinkles supplementation can be used as one of the effective methods of anemia intervention in rural areas.