Iron status, malaria parasite loads and food policies: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa

Alok Bhargava ()

Economics & Human Biology, 2013, vol. 11, issue 1, 108-112

Abstract: This brief article investigates the consequences of improving children's iron status for malaria parasite loads by analyzing data from Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, and Tanzania; the treatment of iron deficiencies has been argued to flare up malaria in under-nourished populations. The data from a randomized controlled trial in Cote d’Ivoire showed statistically insignificant effects of the consumption of iron-fortified biscuits on children's malaria parasite loads. Second, nutrient intakes data from Zambia showed insignificant correlations and associations between children's iron and folate intakes and malaria parasite loads. Third, malaria parasite loads did not change significantly for Tanzanian children receiving anthelmintic treatment; malaria loads were lower for older children and for those using bed nets. Overall, the evidence from sub-Saharan African countries suggests that small improvements in iron status achieved via suitable food policies are unlikely to have detrimental effects for children's malaria parasite loads.

Keywords: Africa; Anthelmintic treatment; Food policies; Health; Iron supplementation; Malaria parasite loads; Randomized controlled trials; Random effects models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 I15 I18 O12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:11:y:2013:i:1:p:108-112

DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2012.02.004

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