Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42514398›Full record

ArticleNutrients2026

Anaemia Prevention Among Adolescent Girls in Lodhran, Punjab, Pakistan: A School-Based Weekly Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation Pilot Program.

Sumra Kureishy, Asim Shahzad Qureshi, Rakhshinda Ambreen, Shabina Raza, Marion L Roche

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nutrients, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sumra KureishyNutrition International, Ottawa, ON K2P 2K3, Canada.ORCID 0009-0004-6925-804X
Asim Shahzad QureshiNutrition International, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.ORCID 0009-0002-0425-4107
Rakhshinda AmbreenNutrition International, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.ORCID 0000-0003-2310-1093
Shabina RazaNutrition International, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.ORCID 0009-0004-4230-8529
Marion L RocheNutrition International, Ottawa, ON K2P 2K3, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-7834-5581

Funding

Global Affairs Canada ISG1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesPakistan has one of the highest burdens of adolescent anaemia in South Asia. A Weekly Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFAS) program for school-going adolescent girls aged 10-19 years was piloted in the Lodhran District, Punjab, Pakistan.

methodsA quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 750 girls, selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling from 50 public schools across Lodhran; qualitative data were generated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 327 stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using a chi-square test in SPSS. Qualitative data were analyzed in NVIVO using thematic analysis based on the Socio-Ecological Model, enabling environment and institutional systems, community engagement, behavior change and adolescent empowerment and agency. Coding was guided by overarching research questions of acceptability, feasibility and impact. Cases of anaemia averted were estimated using program data and outcome modeling. Qualitative findings were triangulated with quantitative results.

resultsThe program reached 30,506 girls and was estimated to have averted 5659 cases of anaemia. WIFAS coverage increased from 0% to 100%, with a high level of adherence (80%). Knowledge about anaemia, its signs/symptoms and preventative measures increased significantly at endline. Dietary practices showed positive changes, with significant increase in girls never skipping a meal. Stakeholders attributed success to the creation of an enabling environment through institutional alignment and multisectoral collaboration, culturally adapted, adolescent-friendly materials, and robust community mobilization that proactively addressed socio-cultural barriers.

conclusionsThe school-based WIFAS program for reducing anaemia among adolescent girls was feasible and acceptable in a context where few nutrition services are available to girls.

Indexed as

AnemiaAnemia, Iron-DeficiencyDietary SupplementsFolic AcidIronSchool Health ServicesAdolescentChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansPakistanPilot ProjectsSchoolsYoung AdultFolic AcidIronadolescent girlsanaemiaschool-based supplementation

Identifiers

PMID42514398
PMCPMC13415225

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.