Given Hapunda

216 Biochemical Results Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is usually present when Hb levels are less than 9.5 mg/dL. The mean±SD serum Hb levels for both the experimental groups were normal, with a low level for the Vaal region at baseline. However, IDA was observed in 13%, 15% and 23% of the participants in Evaton West, Soshanguve and the Vaal region at baseline, respectively (Table 4a). In both the experimental groups, the mean±SD Hb level was lower after the intervention, although not significantly so ( p >0.05), despite a decreased prevalence of IDA in Soshanguve (32%). In Evaton West, the IDA prevalence increased to 26% after the intervention (Table 4b). These results were, however, not significant. In the control group (12%), a higher mean Hb level and lower prevalence of IDA was observed after the intervention. In all three groups, there was no significant difference between baseline and follow-up ( p >0.05) ( p> 0.15 for Evaton West, p> 015 for Soshanguve and p >0.10 for the Vaal region). Table 4a: Haemoglobin results for Evaton West, Soshanguve and Vaal region at baseline. Evaton West (n=93) Soshanguve (n=85) Vaal region (n=60) mean±SD n (%) of children <9.5 mg/dL (DeMaeyer 1989) mean±SD n(%) of children <9.5 mg/dL mean±SD n(%) of children <9.5 mg/dL Haemoglobin 11.28±1.32 12 11.40±1.59 13 10.85±2.09 14 Table 4b: Haemoglobin results for Evaton West, Soshanguve and Vaal region at follow-up. Evaton West (n=77) Soshanguve (n=59) Vaal region (n=41) mean±SD % of children <9.5 mg/dL mean±SD % of children <9.5 mg/dL mean±SD % of children <9.5 mg/dL