Factors associated with iron supplementation in children under 1 year of age who received home visits in the Cercado de Lima district

Bonifaz Morante G.A.; León Cerrón G.E. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/454gabonifaz

Resumen

Introduction: Childhood anemia remains a public health problem, especially among children under one year of age, despite the implementation of strategies that strengthen iron supplementation. The Meta 4 program incorporated home visits to promote adherence within households; however, a considerable number of children still do not receive the supplement regularly. Objectives: To analyze the factors associated with the interruption or non-initiation of iron supplementation in children under one year of age who received home visits in the district of Cercado de Lima. Materials and Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study based on a secondary database provided by the Municipality of Lima. The sample included 308 children under 12 months of age with at least one month of documented home follow-up who were not receiving supplementation at the end of the visits. Sociodemographic variables and factors that interrupted or prevented consumption were analyzed. The analysis was descriptive. Results: Most participants were insured through SIS (74.4%). Preventive supplementation was reported in 91.6% of cases and therapeutic supplementation in 8.4%. Of the total, 51.3% had discontinued iron consumption and 48.7% had never received it. The main limiting factors were failure to collect the supplement (28.6%), running out without replacement (25.0%), and child illness (17.9%). Discussion: Studies conducted in Puno, Huánuco, Amazonas, and Metropolitan Lima have reported similar limiting factors to those identified in this study. Conclusions: Most of the factors identified were related to logistical difficulties and lack of continuity at the household level rather than rejection of the supplement. Although the health system prioritizes treatment, barriers affecting timely access and replacement of iron supplements persist. These findings highlight the need to strengthen coordination mechanisms to ensure continuity and adherence to iron supplementation.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola