Table 1

Descriptive summary of the studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, 2023

Author,
(year, country),
reference
Setting
and study design
Sex and age (years)Sample size for intervention group (IG) and control group (CG)Intervention arm (iron and/or folic acid dose)Comparator armFrequency of supplementDuration of supplementsOutcome measurement
Beasley et al
(2000, Tanzania)27
School; RCTFemale, 12–18IG=50
CG=57
400 mg FSVitamin B12 Weekly4 monthsHgb, SF, CRP, diarrhoea, malaria and Wt. change
Handiso et al (2021, Ethiopia)26 Community RCTFemale, 10–19IG=92
CG=112
60 mg EI+0.4 mgNoWeekly3 monthsHgb, SF and CRP
Hall et al
(2001, Mali)30
School
CRCT
6–19 yearsIG=551
CG=562
65 mg EI+0.25 mgNoWeekly2.2 monthsHgb and anaemia status
Mwanakasale et al
(2009, Zambia)33
School; RCTMale, 9–15 yearsIG=80
CG=87
200 mg FSVitamin CWeekly9 monthsHgb and anaemia status
Mwanakasal et al
(2009, Zambia)33
School; RCTFemale, 9–15 yearsIG=73
CG=84
200 mg FSVitamin CWeekly9 monthsHgb and anaemia status
Taylor et al (2002, South Africa)32 School; RCT6–15 yearsIG=101
CG=91
65 mg EI+100 µgAntihelminthicWeekly2.2 monthsHgb
Leenstra et al
(2009, Kenya)25
School; RCTFemale, 12–18 yearsIG=80
CG=109
120 mg EIVitamin AWeekly5 monthsHgb and SF
Gies et al (2018, Burkina Faso)29 CommunityFemale, 10–19 years913 girls60 mg EI+2.8 mg2.8 mg folic acidWeekly18 monthsHgb, SF and anaemia
Gosdin et al, (2021, Ghana)31 School, pre–post longitudinalFemale, 10–19 years1387 girls60 mg EI+0.4 mgNo comparatorWeekly12 monthsAnaemia and Hgb
Horjus et al (2005, Mozambique)28 School, pre–post longitudinal studyFemale, 10–18 years991 girls60 mg EI+0.4 mgWeekly5/8 monthsAnaemia and Hgb
Nagmeldin Abbas Fageer et al (2021, Sudan)34 Community RCTSchool childrenIG=109 CG=106EIFolic acidWeekly4 monthsAnaemia and school performance
  • .BAZ, body mass index for Z score; CG, control group; CRP, C reative protein; EI, elemental Iron; FRCT, factorial randomised control trial; FS, ferrous sulfate; HAZ, height for age Z score; Hgb, haemoglobin; Ht, height; ID, iron deficiency; IG, intervention group; IP, intestinal parasitosis; MMS, multiple micronutrient supplements; NM, not mentioned; RCT, randomised control trial; SAC, school-aged children; SF, serum ferritin; TFR, transferrin receptor; Wt., weight.