What is the iron supplement administered for adolescents under the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Program?

Appeared in: MP CHO - 2022

Explanation

The correct dosage is based on the Government of India's Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program, which falls under the broader strategy for adolescent health (ARSH).
The WIFS program guidelines specify a weekly prophylactic dose of one tablet containing 100 mg of elemental iron and 500 mcg of folic acid.
This intervention targets all adolescents aged 10-19 years to combat the high prevalence of nutritional anemia in this age group.
The program also includes biannual deworming, as parasitic infections are a major contributor to iron deficiency anemia.

Option A: 80 mg is not a standard dosage for elemental iron in any age group under the National Iron+ Initiative.
Option C: 120 mg is not the prescribed weekly dose for adolescents. It is higher than the recommended prophylactic amount.
Option D: 150 mg is an incorrect dosage and is significantly higher than the recommended weekly prophylactic dose of 100 mg.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Iron supplementation programs for adolescents in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in implementing the WIFS program in schools and community settings (Anganwadis), ensuring supervised administration and health education.
Counseling adolescents and parents about the importance of compliance, managing minor side effects (like nausea or dark stools), and improving dietary iron intake is a key nursing responsibility.
Anemia in adolescent girls has long-term consequences, including increased risk of maternal mortality, low birth weight babies, and reduced work capacity. This program is a vital public health intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking for a specific factual detail (dosage) of a national health program (ARSH/WIFS) for a specific population (adolescents).
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge of community health nursing and national health programs in India.
Recall the key components of the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) program, which is the primary vehicle for iron supplementation in adolescents.
Compare the standard WIFS dosage (100 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid) with the given options.
Select the option that matches the official guideline, which is 100 mg.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Iron supplementation programs for adolescents in India
Stem keywords: iron supplement, adolescents, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Program
Lead-in keywords: What is

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

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 180-182

Practise the full MP CHO - 2022

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