MICRONUTRIENT

UPDATE

January 2007

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. 

It was prepared by Altrena G. Mukuria (Macro International Inc.) and Monica T. Kothari (PATH).
Macro International Inc.

11785 Beltsville Drive

Suite 300

Calverton, MD 20705 USA

Telephone: 301-572-0200

Fax: 301-572-0999

E-mail: reports@orcmacro.com

MEASURE DHS assists countries worldwide in the collection and use of data to monitor and evaluate population, 

health, and nutrition programs. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), MEASURE DHS 

is implemented by Macro International Inc. in Calverton, Maryland. The opinions expressed herein are those of the 

authors and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The main objectives of the MEASURE DHS project are: 

1) to provide decisionmakers in survey countries with information useful for informed policy choices, 

2) to expand the international population and health database, 

3) to advance survey methodology, and

4) to develop in participating countries the skills and resources necessary to conduct high-quality demographic and 

health surveys.

Information about the MEASURE DHS project or the status of MEASURE DHS surveys is available on the Internet 

at http://www.measuredhs.com or by contacting: 
Micronutrient

Update

Altrena G. Mukuria

Monica T. Kothari

Macro International Inc.

Calverton, Maryland, USA

January 2007

Introduction 

Micronutrient defi ciencies are major contributors to morbidity and mortality among women and children in the developing world. This Micronutrient Update, which continues where the May 2002 Micronutrient Update left off, presents 

information on women and children from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2000 and 2005. 

Tables 1-4 present information on anemia in women and children, iron supplementation of mothers, iodized salt by households, and vitamin A supplementation of women and children. Tables 5 and 6 present summary information on women 

age 15-49 years and children 6-59 months based on surveys conducted between 1987 and 2005. All of the data presented 

here were reanalyzed after standardization for comparative purposes (unless otherwise noted).
2

Table 1: Anemia in women and children

Direct measurement of hemoglobin levels were made using a drop of blood taken from a person’s fi ngertip or, in the case of 

young children, the heel using HemoCue®. The table presents the percentage of all women age 15-49 and children 6-59 months 

by anemia status, DHS surveys 2000-2005.

Country and year Mild Moderate Severe Any anemia

Number of 

women/

children

Sub-Saharan Africa

Benin 2001

women 40.7 21.8 1.8 64.3 3,125

children 21.7 51.7 8.8 82.2 2,032

Burkina Faso 2003

women 37.8 14.7 1.1 53.7 4,271

children 18.4 60.0 13.2 91.7 2,635

Cameroon 2004

women 32.5 11.6 0.9 44.9 5,084

children 22.7 41.8 4.9 69.4 2,897

Ghana 2003

women 34.8 9.0 0.8 44.6 5,272

children 22.6 48.2 6.0 76.7 2,684

Madagascar 2003/2004

women 34.6 8.5 2.9 46.0 2,612

children 35.5 32.0 3.4 70.9 1,620

Malawi 2004

women 32.0 10.6 1.7 44.3 2,620

children 25.8 43.0 5.3 74.1 1,969

Mali 2001

women 39.3 20.8 2.8 62.9 3,787

children 18.2 53.0 11.5 82.7 2,583

Senegal 2005

women 37.4 18.8 2.9 59.1 4,439

children 20.2 55.0 7.7 82.9 2,243

Tanzania 2004

women 32.6 14.5 1.2 48.4 10,139

children 24.4 43.6 4.3 72.3 6,523

Note: Figures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Women with <7.0 g/dl of hemoglobin have severe anemia; women with 7.0-9.9 g/dl have moderate anemia; and pregnant women with 10.0-10.9 g/dl and nonpregnant 

women with 10.0-11.9 g/dl have mild anemia.

Children with <7.0 g/dl of hemoglobin have severe anemia; children with 7.0-9.9 g/dl have moderate anemia; and children with 10.0-10.9 g/dl have mild anemia.
3

Table 1 (continued): Anemia in women and children

Direct measurement of hemoglobin levels were made using a drop of blood taken from a person’s fi ngertip or, in the case of 

young children, the heel using HemoCue®. The table presents the percentage of all women age 15-49 and children 6-59 months 

by anemia status, DHS surveys 2000-2005.

Country and year Mild Moderate Severe Any anemia

Number of 

women/

children

North Africa/West Asia/ Europe

Armenia 2000

women 10.2 2.0 0.3 12.4 6,137

children 14.0 9.6 0.4 23.9 1,328

Egypt 2005a women 32.7 6.5 0.3 39.4 6,289

children 27.6 20.7 0.3 48.6 3,774

Jordan 2002a women 20.2 5.8 0.3 26.3 2,900

children 20.8 13.2 0.2 34.2 1,411

Central Asia

Turkmenistan 2000

women 37.8 8.4 1.1 47.3 7,714

children 19.6 15.7 0.6 35.9 2,635

Uzbekistan 2002

women u uu u u

childrenb 26.2 22.0 1.0 49.2 2,305

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bolivia 2003

women 26.3 6.5 0.4 33.1 5,935

children 25.2 24.7 1.8 51.7 2,686

Note: Figures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable. 

Women with <7.0 g/dl of hemoglobin have severe anemia; women with 7.0-9.9 g/dl have moderate anemia; and pregnant women with 10.0-10.9 g/dl and nonpregnant 

women with 10.0-11.9 g/dl have mild anemia.

Children with <7.0 g/dl of hemoglobin have severe anemia; children with 7.0-9.9 g/dl have moderate anemia; and children with 10.0-10.9 g/dl have mild anemia.

u: Unknown (not available)

a

Sample includes ever-married women

b

Figures taken from the Uzbekistan 2002 Health Examination Survey Report
4

Table 2: Iron supplementation of mothers

It is recommended that women take iron supplementation for at least 90 days during pregnancy. The table presents the percentage of 

mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who consumed any iron tablets or syrup during pregnancy for the 

most recent birth and the percentage who consumed iron tablets or syrup for 90 or more days, DHS surveys 2000-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of mothers

who consumed

any iron tablets/syrup

Percentage of mothers

who consumed iron tablets/syrup

for 90+ days Number of mothers

Sub-Saharan Africa

Benin 2001 84.1 40.1 3,524

Burkina Faso 2003 69.3 10.3 7,428

Cameroon 2004 73.3 46.5 5,303

Chad 2004 28.7 1.4 3,720

Eritrea 2002 39.6 0.7 4,175

Ghana 2003 79.1 39.7 2,645

Kenya 2003 45.7 2.5 4,052

Madagascar 2003/2004 32.3 2.5 4,162

Malawi 2004 79.4 17.6 7,271

Mali 2001 34.5 3.0 8,295

Mozambique 2003 60.2 14.3 7,179

Nigeria 2003 57.9 21.1 3,911

Senegal 2005 90.5 39.7 6,928

Tanzania 2004 61.1 9.8 5,772

Zambia 2001/2002 70.6 20.3 4,402

North Africa/West Asia/ Europe

Armenia 2000 19.2 0.5 1,248

Egypt 2005a 53.1 14.1 9,845

Jordan 2002a 72.1 46.4 3,743

Morocco 2003/2004 38.3 5.2 4,695

Central Asia

Turkmenistan 2000 32.3 0.1 2,470

South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh 2004a 50.0 u 5,416

Indonesia 2002/2003a 78.4 29.1 12,760

Nepal 2001a 22.7 5.7 4,745

Philippines 2003 76.8 29.1 4,802

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bolivia 2003 61.6 21.8 7,261

Colombia 2005 75.9 u 11,083

Dominican Republic 2002 89.1 57.1 7,866

Nicaragua 2001 78.9 61.4 4,848

Peru 2004 64.9 20.3 1,773

u: Unknown (not available)

a

Sample includes ever-married women
5

Table 3: Iodized salt by household

Over a lifetime, the human body requires only about a teaspoon of iodine. However, because the body cannot store iodine for 

long periods, tiny amounts are needed regularly for good health. The iodine content of household salt was tested using commercial fi eld test kits for iodized salt made by MBI Kits International in India and available for procurement from UNICEF. The 

table presents the percentage of households with salt containing 15 parts per million (ppm) or more of iodine, unless otherwise

noted, DHS surveys 2000-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of households with salt containing 

15+ ppm iodine

Number of households with salt tested

for iodine

Sub-Saharan Africa

Benin 2001 71.7 5,317

Burkina Faso 2003 47.8 8,633

Cameroon 2004 88.3 8,667

Chad 2004 65.9 4,550

Eritrea 2002 68.0 9,017

Ghana 2003 28.3 5,619

Madagascar 2003/2004 75.4 7,885

Mali 2001 73.8a 11,230

Mozambique 2003 53.7a 11,195

Namibia 2000 62.9 5,742

Nigeria 2003 97.3 6,752

Senegal 2005 41.3 7,113

Tanzania 2004 43.4 9,027

Zambia 2001/2002 77.4 5,703

North Africa/West Asia/ Europe

Armenia 2000 84.1 5,939

Egypt 2005 78.1 21,110

Central Asia

Turkmenistan 2000 76.8 6,176

Note: Table excludes households in which salt was not tested for iodine content.

a

Any iodine
6

Table 4: Vitamin A supplementation of mothers and children

Vitamin A supplementation guidelines recommend that mothers receive 200,000 IUs of vitamin A orally within two months of 

delivery. Since the human body can store vitamin A, age-appropriate, high-dose supplements can be semiannually administered 

to children over six months of age. The table presents the percentage of mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who received postpartum vitamin A supplementation within the two months of their most recent birth and the 

percentage of living children, by age, who received a vitamin A supplement within the six months preceding the survey, DHS 

surveys 2000-2004.

Country and year

Percentage 

of mothers

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of mothers

Percentage 

of children

6-11

months

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of children

6-11

months

Percentage 

of children 

12-59

months

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of children 

12-59

months

Percentage 

of children

6-59

months

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of children

6-59

months

Sub-Saharan Africa

Benin 2001 20.2 3,524 18.4 529 18.3 3,634 18.3 4,163

Burkina Faso 2003 16.4 7,428 32.4 1,011 33.5 7,331 33.3 8,342

Cameroon 2004 28.2 5,303 43.1 761 36.8 5,713 37.5 6,474

Chad 2004 u u 31.4 525 34.7 4,001 34.3 4,526

Eritrea 2002 13.4 4,175 33.5 621 38.7 4,467 38.0 5,088

Ghana 2003 43.0 2,645 68.6 374 79.7 2,652 78.4 3,026

Kenya 2003 14.2 4,052 31.4 630 33.6 4,310 33.3 4,941

Madagascar 2003/2004 19.1 4,162 47.6 608 80.0 4,619 76.2 5,227

Malawi 2004 41.0 7,271 68.1 1,188 65.0 7,480 65.4 8,668

Mali 2001 17.7 8,295 37.7 1,272 41.3 8,395 40.8 9,667

Mozambique 2003 20.8 7,179 49.6 1,018 49.8 7,300 49.8 8,318

Namibia 2000 33.4 3,002 38.7 401 38.4 2,968 38.4 3,368

Nigeria 2003 19.6 3,911 31.3 668 34.1 4,014 33.7 4,682

Senegal 2005 27.3 6,928 75.3 1,022 75.3 7,392 75.3 8,413

Tanzania 2004 20.1 5,772 34.8 916 47.1 6,214 45.5 7,130

Zambia 2001/2002 27.5 4,402 44.1 604 70.5 4,549 67.4 5,153

u: Unknown (not available)
7

Table 4 (continued): Vitamin A supplementation of mothers and children

Vitamin A supplementation guidelines recommend that mothers receive 200,000 IUs of vitamin A orally within two months of 

delivery. Since the human body can store vitamin A, age-appropriate, high-dose supplements can be semiannually administered 

to children over six months of age. The table presents the percentage of mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who received postpartum vitamin A supplementation within the two months of their most recent birth and the 

percentage of living children, by age, who received a vitamin A supplement within the six months preceding the survey, DHS 

surveys 2000-2004.

Country and year

Percentage 

of mothers

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of mothers

Percentage 

of children

6-11

months

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of children

6-11

months

Percentage 

of children 

12-59

months

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of children 

12-59

months

Percentage 

of children

6-59

months

who

received 

vitamin A

Number

of children

6-59

months

North Africa/West Asia/ Europe

Egypt 2005a 48.4 9,845 20.5 1,349 9.9 10,529 11.1 11,878

Morocco 2003/2004 23.5 4,695 61.1 572 21.2 4,677 25.5 5,248

Central Asia

Turkmenistan 2000 u u 16.5 336 15.7 2,600 15.8 2,936

South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh 2004a 14.5 5,416 30.1 592 84.0 5,220 78.5 5,811

Indonesia 2002/2003a 42.5 12,760 65.8 1,373 76.2 11,567 75.1 12,940

Nepal 2001a 10.3 4,745 u u u u u u

Philippines 2003 44.6 4,802 67.2 733 77.2 5,376 76.0 6,109

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bolivia 2003 30.7 7,261 52.6 907 60.8 7,893 60.0 8,801

Dominican Republic 

2002

24.1 7,866 31.8 1,040 30.5 8,477 30.7 9,517

Nicaragua 2001 u u 56.0 595 66.3 5,155 65.3 5,750

Peru 2004 10.2 1,773 u u u u u u

u: Unknown (not available)

a

Sample includes ever-married women
8

Table 5: Summary information: Children 6-59 months

Percentage of children 6-59 months with anemia and percentage of children 6-59 months who received vitamin A supplements 

in the six months preceding the survey, DHS surveys 1995-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of children 

with any anemia

Percentage of children

6-11 months who

received vitamin A

Percentage of children 

12-59 months who

received vitamin A

Percentage of children

6-59 months who

received vitamin A

Sub-Saharan Africa

Benin 1996a 12.7 11.5 11.8

Benin 2001 82.2 18.4 18.3 18.3

Burkina Faso 2003 91.7 32.4 33.5 33.3

Cameroon 2004 69.4 43.1 36.8 37.5

Chad 1996/1997 0.7 0.7 0.7

Chad 2004 31.4 34.7 34.3

Eritrea 2002 33.5 38.7 38.0

Ethiopia 2000 55.8 60.4 59.9

Ghana 1998 25.6 23.2 23.5

Ghana 2003 76.7 68.6 79.7 78.4

Kenya 2003 31.4 33.6 33.3

Madagascar 1997a 73.6 3.6 2.0 2.3

Madagascar 2003/2004 70.9 47.6 80.0 76.2

Malawi 2000 68.9 70.9 70.6

Malawi 2004 74.1 68.1 65.0 65.4

Mali 1995/1996a 0.7 0.5 0.5

Mali 2001 82.7 37.7 41.3 40.8

Mozambique 2003 49.6 49.8 49.8

Namibia 2000 38.7 38.4 38.4

Niger 1998a 1.4 0.7 0.8

Nigeria 2003 31.3 34.1 33.7

Rwanda 2000 67.2 69.2 68.9

Senegal 2005 82.9 75.3 75.3 75.3

Tanzania 1999 16.3 11.9 12.5

Tanzania 2004 72.3 34.8 47.1 45.5

Uganda 2000 71.8 28.0 39.0 37.6

Zambia 2001/2002 44.1 70.5 67.4

Note: Anemia fi gures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Any anemia <11.0 g/dl

a

Children 6-35 months
9

Table 5 (continued): Summary information: Children 6-59 months

Percentage of children 6-59 months with anemia and percentage of children 6-59 months who received vitamin A supplements 

in the six months preceding the survey, DHS surveys 1995-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of children 

with any anemia

Percentage of children

6-11 months who

received vitamin A

Percentage of children 

12-59 months who

received vitamin A

Percentage of children

6-59 months who

received vitamin A

North Africa/West Asia/Europe

Armenia 2000 23.9

Egypt 2000 30.4 13.1 12.5 12.6

Egypt 2005 48.6 20.5 9.9 11.1

Jordan 2002 34.2

Morocco 2003/2004 61.1 21.2 25.5

Central Asia

Kazakhstan 1999 37.2 26.6 26.5 26.5

Kyrgyz Republic 1997a 46.5

Turkmenistan 2000 35.9 16.5 15.7 15.8

Uzbekistan 1996a 60.5

Uzbekistan 2002b 49.2

South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh 1999/2000 69.5 80.3 79.3

Bangladesh 2004 30.1 84.0 78.5

Cambodia 2000 63.5 29.7 30.9 30.8

India 1998/1999a 73.7 9.7 14.2 13.3

Indonesia 1997 41.6d

Indonesia 2002/2003 65.8 76.2 75.1

Nepal 1996a 18.1 35.7 32.2

Philippines 1998 55.2 78.3 75.6

Philippines 2003 67.2 77.2 76.0

Latin America and Caribbean

Bolivia 1998 55.6

Bolivia 2003 51.7 52.6 60.8 60.0

Dominican Rep 2002 31.8 30.5 30.7

Haiti 2000 63.0 33.8 31.1 31.4

Nicaragua 2001 56.0 66.3 65.3

Peru 2000 49.6 4.9c 1.2c 1.6c

Note: Anemia fi gures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Any anemia <11.0 g/dl

u: Unknown (not available)

a

Children 6-35 months

b

Figures taken from the Uzbekistan 2002 Health Examination Survey Report

c

As per vaccination card

d

At least one dose recorded on vaccination card anytime in life
10

Table 6: Summary information: Women age 15-49 years

Percentage of women age 15-49 with any anemia, percentage of mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the 

survey who consumed any iron tablets or syrup during pregnancy for their most recent birth, percentage of mothers age 15-49 

with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who received postpartum vitamin A supplementation in the two months following their most recent birth, and percentage of households with salt containing 15 parts per million (ppm) or more of iodine,

DHS surveys 1987-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of 

women with

any anemia

Percentage of 

mothers who 

consumed

any iron tablets/

syrup

Percentage of 

mothers who

consumed iron

tablets/syrup for 

90+ days

Percentage of 

mothers who

received

postpartum

vitamin A

Percentage of 

households

 with salt containing 

15+ ppm iodinea

Sub-Saharan Africa

Benin 1996 78.7b

Benin 2001 64.3 84.1 40.1 20.2 71.7

Burkina Faso 2003 53.7 69.3 10.3 16.4 47.8

Cameroon 1998 94.3b

Cameroon 2004 44.9 73.3 46.5 28.2 88.3

CAR 1994 28.2b

Chad 1996/1997 62.3b

Chad 2004 28.7 1.4 65.9

Eritrea 1995 30.2d

Eritrea 2002 39.6 0.7 13.4 68.0

Ethiopia 2000 11.8 28.4

Gabon 2000 67.9 17.5b

Ghana 1998 78.4 28.3e 27.7f

Ghana 2003 44.6 79.1 39.7 43.0 28.3

Guinea 1999 13.8b

Kenya 2003 45.7 2.5 14.2

Madagascar 1997 42.1 79.2b

Madagascar 2003/2004 46.0 32.3 2.5 19.1 75.4

Malawi 2000 67.3 11.4 41.7 53.0

Malawi 2004 44.3 79.4 17.6 41.0

Mali 2001 62.9 34.5 3.0 17.7 73.8b

Mozambique 2003 60.2 14.3 20.8 53.7b

Note: Anemia fi gures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Any anemia: Pregnant women <11.0 g/dl, 

 Not pregnant women <12.0 g/dl

a

Excludes households in which salt was not tested for iodine content.

b

Any iodine

c

Sample includes ever-married women

d

Births in the three years preceding the survey

e

Vitamin A supplementation received in the 6 weeks following the most recent birth

f

Iodine level 25+ ppm
11

Table 6 (continued): Summary information: Women age 15-49 years

Percentage of women age 15-49 with any anemia, percentage of mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the 

survey who consumed any iron tablets or syrup during pregnancy for their most recent birth, percentage of mothers age 15-49 

with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who received postpartum vitamin A supplementation in the two months following their most recent birth, and percentage of households with salt containing 15 parts per million (ppm) or more of iodine,

DHS surveys 1987-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of 

women with

any anemia

Percentage of 

mothers who

consumed

any iron tablets/

syrup

Percentage of 

mothers who

consumed iron

tablets/syrup for 

90+ days

Percentage of 

mothers who

received

postpartum vitamin 

A supplementation

Percentage of 

households

 with salt containing 

15+ ppm iodinea

Sub-Saharan Africa (continued)

Namibia 2000 33.4 62.9

Niger 1998 11.1 73.8b

Nigeria 2003 57.9 21.1 19.6 97.3

Rwanda 2000 20.6 0.3 13.9 91.2

Senegal 2005 59.1 90.5 39.7 27.3 41.3

Tanzania 1999 44.4 10.9 66.8f

Tanzania 2004 48.4 61.1 9.8 20.1 43.4

Uganda 2000 36.7 51.4 1.7 11.3 94.8

Zambia 1996/1997 95.8b

Zambia 2001/2002 70.6 20.3 27.5 77.4

Zimbabwe 1999 59.9

North Africa/West Asia/Europe

Armenia 2000 12.4 19.2 0.5 84.1

Egypt 2000c 27.6 26.5 8.3 11.9 55.9b

Egypt 2003c 47.6 13.7 37.5 79.1

Egypt 2005c 39.4 53.1 14.1 48.4 78.1

Jordan 2002c 26.3 72.1 46.4 31.1

Morocco 2003/2004 38.3 5.2 23.5

Turkey 1998c 54.0

Yemen 1997c 22.1 87.8b

Notes: Anemia fi gures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Any anemia: Pregnant women <11.0 g/dl, 

 Not pregnant women <12.0 g/dl

a

Excludes households in which salt was not tested for iodine content.

b

Any iodine

c

Sample includes ever-married women

f

Iodine level 25+ ppm
12

Table 6: (continued) Summary information: Women age 15-49 years

Percentage of women age 15-49 with any anemia, percentage of mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the 

survey who consumed any iron tablets or syrup during pregnancy for their most recent birth, percentage of mothers age 15-49 

with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who received postpartum vitamin A supplementation in the two months following their most recent birth, and percentage of households with salt containing 15 parts per million (ppm) or more of iodine,

DHS surveys 1987-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of 

women with

any anemia

Percentage of 

mothers who

consumed

any iron tablets/

syrup

Percentage of 

mothers who

consumed iron

tablets/syrup for 

90+ days

Percentage of 

mothers who

received

postpartum vitamin 

A supplementation

Percentage of 

households

 with salt containing 

15+ ppm iodinea

Central Asia

Kazakhstan 1999 35.5 48.1 20.1

Kyrgyz Republic 1997 38.2

Turkmenistan 2000 47.3 32.3 0.1 76.8

Uzbekistan 1996 60.4

South and Southeast Asia

Bangladesh 1999/2000c 36.4 15.8

Bangladesh 2004c 50.0 14.5

Cambodia 2000 58.8 20.7 1.2 10.7 13.9b

India 1998/1999c 51.2 57.9d 49.7

Indonesia 1997c 67.1

Indonesia 2002/2003c 78.4 29.1 42.5

Nepal 1996c 8.9d 64.7

Nepal 2001c 22.7 5.7 10.3

Philippines 1998 75.6 14.0

Philippines 2003 76.8 29.1 44.6

Notes: Anemia fi gures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Any anemia: Pregnant women <11.0 g/dl, 

 Not pregnant women <12.0 g/dl

a

Excludes households in which salt was not tested for iodine content.

b

Any iodine

c

Sample includes ever-married women

d

Births in the three years preceding the survey
13

Table 6 (continued): Summary information: Women age 15-49 years

Percentage of women age 15-49 with any anemia, percentage of mothers age 15-49 with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the 

survey who consumed any iron tablets or syrup during pregnancy for their most recent birth, percentage of mothers age 15-49 

with a birth in the fi ve years preceding the survey who received postpartum vitamin A supplementation in the two months following their most recent birth, and percentage of households with salt containing 15 parts per million (ppm) or more of iodine,

DHS surveys 1987-2005.

Country and year

Percentage of 

women with

any anemia

Percentage of 

mothers who 

consumed

any iron tablets/

syrup

Percentage of 

mothers who

consumed iron

tablets/syrup for 

90+ days

Percentage of 

mothers who

received

postpartum

vitamin A

Percentage of 

households

 with salt containing 

15+ ppm iodinea

Latin America and Caribbean

Bolivia 1998 27.2 91.0b

Bolivia 2003 33.1 61.6 21.8 30.7

Brazil 1996 94.2b

Colombia 2000 72.0 34.4

Colombia 2005 75.9

Dominican Rep 1996 90.9

Dominican Rep 2002 89.1 57.1 24.1

Ecuador 1987 14.2f

Guatemala 1995 91.5f

Haiti 2000 55.1 57.1 10.8 24.5 11.7

Nicaragua 1997/98 93.0f

Nicaragua 2001 78.9 61.4

Peru 2000 31.6 52.0 15.6 11.6 97.0b

Peru 2004 64.9 20.3 10.2

Notes: Anemia fi gures in the table were adjusted for altitude where applicable.

Any anemia: Pregnant women <11.0 g/dl, 

 Not pregnant women <12.0 g/dl

a

Excludes households in which salt was not tested for iodine content.

b

Any iodine

f

Iodine level 25+ ppm
14
15