Iron deficiency in Indonesia: Current situation and intervention

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) has a large impact on productivity, mental performance, child growth, immunity and pregnancy outcome. In Indonesia, 50 to 70 million people (25–30% of the population) suffer from IDA. In 1995, the prevalence among pregnant women, underfives and female workers was 50.9%, 40.5% and 30%, respectively. Because nutrition and health are essential to human development, Indonesia has identified their improvement, including reducing IDA, a high priority. Several programs are implemented to control IDA. Iron supplementation for pregnant women started in 1974 and currently provides 60% with 90 tablets. Because infants and children cannot meet their iron requirements through diet alone, unless it contains fortified foods, distribution of iron-rich syrup to underfives was started in less developed villages in eastern Indonesia in 1996. Since 1996, factories should supplement their female workers with iron supplements once per week, 16 weeks per year, in order to increase their well-being and productivity. Other groups, such as female adolescents, school children and non-pregnant women are currently targeted through special projects and through IEC, using dietary guidelines, directed at a larger audience. With the increase in economic growth, self-purchasing of supplements and food fortification become more viable strategies. Producers of some brands of noodles and weaning foods are currently fortifying their products, while producers of “jamu” (traditional herb drinks) are increasing the content of enhancers of iron absorption. Reducing IDA in Indonesia is the goal of the Department of Health in collaboration with other departments, non-governmental organisations, international agencies, and the private sector.