What is the folic acid dosage given under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Program (WIFS) for adolescents?

Appeared in: MP CHO - 2022

Explanation

The Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program targets adolescents aged 10-19 years.
Under this national health program, a single tablet containing 500 µg of folic acid and elemental iron is administered weekly.
The goal is to combat the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in this age group, which is marked by rapid growth and increased nutritional needs.
This intervention is delivered through schools and Anganwadi centers to ensure wide coverage.

Option A: A dose of 100 µg of folic acid is incorrect for adolescents under the WIFS program.
Option B: A 200 µg dose is not a standard recommended dosage for any age group within the national iron supplementation programs in India.
Option C: A dose of 400 µg of folic acid is incorrect for the adolescent age group (10-19 years).

Visual 1: Infographic - A chart summarizing the key components of the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program, including target age groups, dosage, frequency, and deworming schedule.
Visual 2: Table - A comparative table showing the different IFA dosages for various age groups (6-59 months, 5-9 years, 10-19 years, pregnant women) under the Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Folic acid dosage under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in the WIFS program by supervising administration, monitoring for side effects, and providing health education.
Key patient education points include taking the tablet after a meal to reduce gastric irritation, consuming vitamin C-rich foods to enhance iron absorption, and avoiding tea/coffee around the time of intake.
Nurses must reassure adolescents that dark or black-colored stools are a normal and harmless side effect of iron supplementation, which helps improve compliance.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'folic acid dosage', 'WIFS program', and 'adolescents'.
This is a factual recall question based on a national health program. Access your knowledge about India's public health initiatives.
Recall the specific guidelines for the WIFS program, which targets the 10-19 year age group.
Differentiate the adolescent dosage from the dosages for other age groups (infants, younger children, pregnant women).
Compare the recalled dosage (500 µg) with the given options and select the correct one.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Folic acid dosage under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program.
Stem keywords: folic acid dosage, Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Program, WIFS, adolescents
Lead-in keywords: What is

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Practise the full MP CHO - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.