1. Iron Deficiency in Sri Lanka
Dr. Renuka Jayatissa (M.B.B.S., M.Sc, M.D.)
Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF

2. Major micronutrient deficiencies in Sri Lanka
Vitamin A
Iodine
Iron

3. Vitamin A Deficiency Bitot’s spot Blindness
Supplementation with vitamin A capsules since year 2000

4. Goitre Iodine Deficiency Fortification of salt with
Iodine since 1995 and elimination of IDD
Successful programme of public and private partnership
Renuka/SL/2014

5. Anaemia and Iron deficiency
Renuka/SL/2014

6. Not much improvement since 2001. Only 0.6% reduction per year.
Trends in the prevalence of anaemia among under five children (Source: MRI 1973, 1996, 2001, DHS 2006 & MRI 2009, 2012)
Renuka/SL/2014
Not much improvement since Only 0.6% reduction per year.

7. Trends in the prevalence of Anaemia in Sri Lanka
(Source: Mudalige and Nestel, 1996, MRI-1970, 1989, 1998, 2001, 2009, 2012 & DHS 2006
Reduction of anaemia in all age groups over 39 years. Still around 20% of the population has anaemia. When the prevalence of anaemia is >5% it will be considered as a public health problem by WHO.
Renuka/SL/2014

8. Millions of anaemic children, adolescent girls and women in Sri Lanka
Iron is critical for the early development of a child because it improves learning ability, physical coordination, and emotional development. Irreversible damages.
Renuka/SL/2014

9. Prevalence of Anaemia in different sectors and age groups in Sri Lanka
(Source: Medical Research Institute 1996, 2001, 2009)
High in urban sector among children and high in plantation sector among adult female
Renuka/SL/2014

10. Prevalence of anaemia in children aged 6-59 months of age by District IN 2012
Renuka/SL/2014

11. Anaemia in Women 15-49 years of age by Districts in 2009
Source- MRI 2009
Percentage
Renuka/SL/2014

12. Causes of anaemia – 6-59 months children in 2012
Renuka/SL/2014

13. Prevalence of Iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12µg) in children aged 6-59 months by District (n=5741)
Renuka/SL/2014

14. Causes of Anaemia in adults
Population group No
Anaemia ID
Free trade zone female garment workers in 2004
652
44.7%
66.6%
Adult female (20-39 years) in central province in 2005
863
27.7%
41.4%
Source: MRI 2004, 2005
It estimates that major cause of anaemia is iron deficiency
Renuka/SL/2014

15. Iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12µg) among children age 6-59 months, by wealth quintile (MRI 2012)
Not much variation between wealth quintiles .
Renuka/SL/2014

16. Why Should Fighting Iron Deficiency Anemia be a National Priority?
For each US $1 spent on an iron supplementation program for pregnant women, there is a US $24 return in increased lifelong wages and decreased disability,
For each US $1 spent on iron fortification of food there is a US $84 return in increased productivity and decreased disability of the consumer,
Work output in many occupations can increase 10 to 30% when workers are given iron supplementation,
Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency and anemia can raise national productivity by 20%.

17. Thank you