Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program is for whom?

MP CHO-2020

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO-2020

Explanation

The Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program is a government initiative specifically designed to combat the high prevalence of anemia among adolescents aged 10-19 years.
The program's target group includes both school-going adolescent boys and girls from classes 6th to 12th in government, government-aided, and municipal schools.
It also extends its reach to out-of-school adolescent girls in the same age group, providing supplementation through the network of Anganwadi centers.
The regimen consists of one blue tablet containing 100 mg of elemental iron and 500 mcg of folic acid, administered once a week.

Option A: This option incorrectly includes lactating mothers. While they do receive IFA supplements, their regimen is daily, not weekly under the WIFS program.
Option C: Pregnant women are a critical target group for anemia prevention, but they require a higher frequency of supplementation. They receive one red IFA tablet daily.
Option D: This statement is true but too vague and lacks the specific details that define the program's scope. Option B is a superior answer because it clearly outlines the specific target populations (school classes and out-of-school channels).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Target beneficiaries of the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The WIFS program is a cornerstone of public health nursing in India, aimed at breaking the intergenerational cycle of anemia and malnutrition.
Nurses and community health workers (like ASHA) are pivotal in implementing WIFS by ensuring supervised administration, providing health education on nutrition, and screening for severe anemia.
Anemia in adolescence impairs physical growth, cognitive development, and concentration, which can negatively affect academic performance and overall productivity.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS)'. The word 'Weekly' is a critical clue.
Recall the specific target population for this national health program. Differentiate it from other IFA supplementation programs.
Remember that pregnant and lactating women have different, more intensive needs, and are typically on a 'daily' supplementation schedule.
Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. Option B provides the most detailed and accurate description of the WIFS beneficiaries, covering both in-school (boys and girls) and out-of-school adolescents.
Eliminate options that incorrectly include groups receiving daily supplementation (A and C) or are too vague compared to a more specific choice (D).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Target beneficiaries of the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program.
Stem keywords: Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation, WIFS, program
Lead-in keywords: for whom
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 1 (pp 36-238 of 713) p. 18-20

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