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 arm | Frequency of supplement | Duration of supplements | Outcome measurement |
| Beasley et al
(2000, Tanzania)27 | School; RCT | Female, 12–18 | IG=50 CG=57 | 400 mg FS | Vitamin B12 | Weekly | 4 months | Hgb, SF, CRP, diarrhoea, malaria and Wt. change |
| Handiso et al (2021, Ethiopia)26 | Community RCT | Female, 10–19 | IG=92 CG=112 | 60 mg EI+0.4 mg | No | Weekly | 3 months | Hgb, SF and CRP |
| Hall et al
(2001, Mali)30 | School CRCT | 6–19 years | IG=551 CG=562 | 65 mg EI+0.25 mg | No | Weekly | 2.2 months | Hgb and anaemia status |
| Mwanakasale et al
(2009, Zambia)33 | School; RCT | Male, 9–15 years | IG=80 CG=87 | 200 mg FS | Vitamin C | Weekly | 9 months | Hgb and anaemia status |
| Mwanakasal et al
(2009, Zambia)33 | School; RCT | Female, 9–15 years | IG=73 CG=84 | 200 mg FS | Vitamin C | Weekly | 9 months | Hgb and anaemia status |
| Taylor et al (2002, South Africa)32 | School; RCT | 6–15 years | IG=101 CG=91 | 65 mg EI+100 µg | Antihelminthic | Weekly | 2.2 months | Hgb |
| Leenstra et al
(2009, Kenya)25 | School; RCT | Female, 12–18 years | IG=80 CG=109 | 120 mg EI | Vitamin A | Weekly | 5 months | Hgb and SF |
| Gies et al (2018, Burkina Faso)29 | Community | Female, 10–19 years | 913 girls | 60 mg EI+2.8 mg | 2.8 mg folic acid | Weekly | 18 months | Hgb, SF and anaemia |
| Gosdin et al, (2021, Ghana)31 | School, pre–post longitudinal | Female, 10–19 years | 1387 girls | 60 mg EI+0.4 mg | No comparator | Weekly | 12 months | Anaemia and Hgb |
| Horjus et al (2005, Mozambique)28 | School, pre–post longitudinal study | Female, 10–18 years | 991 girls | 60 mg EI+0.4 mg | – | Weekly | 5/8 months | Anaemia and Hgb |
| Nagmeldin Abbas Fageer et al (2021, Sudan)34 | Community RCT | School children | IG=109 CG=106 | EI | Folic acid | Weekly | 4 months | Anaemia 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.