ABSTRACT
Social marketing was used for a non compulsory short-term iron supplementation trial conducted in two preparatory schools [boys and girls] in Giza Governorate. The iron supplement of 120 mg elemental iron plus 30mg Vit. C /week, was given in form of biweekly doses over eight week's period [Feb.-April,2000], after broad spectrum anti-helmintic treatment. The iron supplement was delivered by two different systems: 4 weeks by Nutrition Institute staff [as model], and 4 weeks by teaching staff. Advocacy staff meeting at district level, meetings with schoolteachers and parents councils, letter to parents, hot-telephone line for inquiries, and health talks using school media and student health groups were the main social marketing activities. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation was made for the prevalence of anemia, coverage of target groups and their compliance to iron supplements. Social marketing activities commenced from the start had created awareness, built trust and confidence among the concerned parties; educational staff, parents, and children and gained support for the program. This led to high coverage [97%] of children participated in the trial; compliance of schoolchildren to biweekly iron supplements reach 82.2% of planned tablets, with significantly more compliance for boys than girls [86.9% Vs. 79.3%]. The school-based delivery for iron tablets is feasible and more sustainable through well-trained and approachable staff. Finally the initial level of anemia [12.81%] was decreased by almost 20% at the end of the trial period. Further study is needed to scale-up iron supplements program for preparatory schoolchildren as a preventive measure against iron deficiency anemia