Acciones para la prevención y control de la anemia por deficiencia de hierro en niños hasta cinco años

Abstract

Iron deficiency is the most extended specific lack of micronutrients and the main cause of anemia in infants, boys and girls up to five years of age, particularly those aged under 24 months. The Eastern provinces exhibit the highest prevalence with almost absolute predominance of mild cases. The objective of this study is to show the sequential implementation of three projects that are jointly carried out by Cuban bodies and organizations and UN agencies, with a view to reducing anemia in boys and girls aged up to five years. The implementation of these projects had a social marketing approach. Quantitative and qualitative methods and the triangulation of their results were used. All the projects included training of key actors in healthy feeding, nutrition and prevention of anemia as well as extensive educational work with the families. Two projects delivered an iron-fortified foodstuff and the other one distributed an unprecedented tangible product known as powdered micronutrients "Sprinkles". The actions undertaken in Holguin province to implement the three projects and the evaluating criteria were described. After the intervention, it is expected that the capacities for prevention and control of anemia in the 14 municipalities of this province be strengthened and the frequency of anemia in the target group in "Calixto Garc+¡a" municipality be reduced. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]En Cuba la deficiencia de hierro es la carencia espec+¡fica de micronutrientes m+ís extendida y la principal causa de anemia en lactantes, ni+¦as y ni+¦os hasta cinco a+¦os, en especial los menores de 24 meses. Las provincias orientales son las de mayor prevalencia con predominio casi absoluto de casos ligeros. El prop+¦sito de este trabajo es exponer la implementaci+¦n de forma secuencial de tres proyectos que se ejecutan entre organismos y organizaciones cubanos y agencias de Naciones Unidas, para contribuir a la reducci+¦n de la anemia en ni+¦os y ni+¦as hasta cinco a+¦os. La implementaci+¦n de los proyectos se desarroll+¦ con un enfoque de mercadotecnia social. Se aplicaron m+¬todos cuantitativos, cualitativos y la triangulaci+¦n de sus resultados. Todos los proyectos incluyeron la capacitaci+¦n a actores clave en temas de alimentaci+¦n saludable, nutrici+¦n y prevenci+¦n de la anemia y un amplio trabajo educativo con las familias. En dos de ellos se entreg+¦ un alimento fortificado con hierro y en el tercero, se distribuy+¦ otro producto tangible: los micronutrientes en polvo "Chispitas". Este +¦ltimo, sin precedentes en el pa+¡s. Se describen las acciones realizadas en la provincia Holgu+¡n en la implementaci+¦n de los tres proyectos y se exponen los criterios de evaluaci+¦n. Concluida la intervenci+¦n, se espera haber fortalecido las capacidades para la prevenci+¦n y control de la anemia en los 14 municipios de la provincia y haber reducido la frecuencia de anemia en el grupo diana del municipio Calixto Garc+¡a. (Spanish) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Copyright of Revista Cubana de Salud P+¦blica is the property of Centro Nacional de Informacion de Ciencias Medicas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)