Mass chemoprophylaxis for anemia in a population

 # What is recommended for mass chemoprophylaxis for anemia in a population?

A. Ferrous sulphate

B. Ferrous fumarate+ vit B12 + Folic acid + Vit. C

C. Intravenous iron

D. Oral iron supplements

The correct answer is: B. Ferrous fumarate + Vitamin B12 + Folic acid + Vitamin C

Explanation:

Mass chemoprophylaxis for anemia in a population focuses on addressing the most common causes of anemia, such as iron deficiency, folate deficiency, and vitamin B12 deficiency. The combination of Ferrous fumarate, Vitamin B12, Folic acid, and Vitamin C is recommended because:

• Ferrous fumarate: Provides a bioavailable form of iron.
• Vitamin B12 and Folic acid: Address common deficiencies leading to megaloblastic anemia.
• Vitamin C: Enhances the absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract.

Other options:

• A. Ferrous sulphate: Provides iron but does not address other nutritional deficiencies like folic acid or vitamin B12.
• C. Intravenous iron: Used for individuals with severe anemia or malabsorption but not practical for mass chemoprophylaxis.
• D. Oral iron supplements: Covers iron deficiency only and lacks the broader nutritional supplementation needed for population-wide anemia control.

Public Health Context:

In population-level interventions, a combination therapy like in option B is effective and feasible to address the multifactorial nature of anemia in resource-limited settings.