ABSTRACT
To conduct a pragmatic clinical trial with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) for anaemia prevention during the first year of life in primary care in Nampula, Mozambique. A total of 275 infants, aged 6–8 months, were randomly assigned to intervention (IG, n = 145) and control (CG, n = 130) groups. The IG received 90 sachets of MNP for daily use up to 180 days; the CG received standard care. Haemoglobin (Hb) was measured at baseline and after 6 months. Analysis used linear regression adjusted for child and maternal variables (p < 0.05). At baseline, mean Hb (95% CI) was 102.2 g/L (100.4–104.0) in the IG and 103.8 g/L (102.0–105.7) in the CG, with corresponding anaemia rates (Hb < 105 g/L) of 55.2% (47.1; 63.0%) and 47.7% (39.3; 56.2%). After intervention, IG had 106.2 g/L (104.2–108.1) vs CG 99.5 g/L (97.3–101.8), with anaemia rates of 36% (27.8; 45.1) and 67.3% (57.9; 75.4), respectively. Adjusted mean intra-group difference of haemoglobin (g/L) from baseline to follow-up was +2.8 in IG and −4.3 in CG. MNPs improved haemoglobin levels, supporting their potential for anaemia control in vulnerable populations.
Trial Registration
https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4r37q7z. Registered 11/11/2024.
Maternal &Child Nutrition, Volume 22, Issue 3, July 2026. Read More