Which iron supplementation regime for pregnant women provides the best maternal and infant outcomes?
Current guidelines in Vietnam stipulated by the MOH and the WHO recommend iron-folic acid supplementation to be taken daily during pregnancy. Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation for pregnant women is a possible alternative to daily supplements and has been shown to be effective in small research studies. A weekly regime of iron supplementation in pregnancy may result in better compliance by women have fewer side-effects and an easier administrative system.
A randomized controlled trial jointly conducted by the RTCCD and the University of Melbourne over 24 months (from June 2010) will compare the effects of three different methods of iron supplementation in 1,250 pregnant Vietnamese women. Results will be measured by maternal hemoglobin and iron stores; infant birth weight and heaigh; infant anemia, and developmental screening during the first 12 months of life. Maternal depression will be compared with infant growth and development after controlling for maternal iron status. All participants who are less than 16 weeks’ gestation during the recruitment period will be invited to participate and will be assigned to one of three study arms depending on the commune they live in. Intervention impact will be evaluated through 3 surveys carried out at enrolment, the third trimester and at 6 months postpartum.
Our results will clarify whether this is also the best approach to use when women become pregnant. If so, women could use weekly iron supplementation throughout their reproductive years, including during pregnancy. The practical outcome will provide new information about the clinical impact of different iron supplementation approaches on maternal and infant health including the relationship between maternal depression, iron deficiency and infant development. More broadly, this research has the potential to vastly increase compliance with and improve the distribution of iron supplements in pregnancy, which will lead to reduced rates of anaemia, increased birth weight and improved infant growth and development. School performance will also be improved long-term as a result of this. .
This piece of research has required the partnerships of the University of Melbourne (international coordinator), Ha Nam Privincial Centre for Prenentative medicine (local implmentor), the National Institute of Malarigology, Parasitology and entromolgoy (hematological techniques), the National Institute of Nutrition (blood analysis) and Nam Ha Pharmaceutical Joint-Stick Company (supplements manufacturer).
A pilot model of SDQ25 application in mental disorders prevention for Hanoi school students. 2010
A validity study for SDQ25 (child mental health measurement) conducted by RTCCD in 2005 led the way for this body of intervention research. Following the suggestion that the validated SDQ25 Vietnamese version should be used nation-wide to measure mental health burden among children aged 4-16, the research entitled “SDQ25 application into schools in Ha Noi” was developed by the RTCCD in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), the MOH and the Administration of Population. The intervention research aimed to (1) assess the practical application of SDQ25 into the school health care system for early diagnosis of mental disorders; (2) to determine any technical and administrative problems affecting the diagnosis quality following SDQ25’s inclusion into the school care system and (3) to identify gaps where improvements could be made in the school health care system. The intervention was implemented in early 2010. Findings of this pilot will be submitted to the MOET and MOH for consideration of the national program on school mental health.