Aid in Action

Girl Guides Help Prevent Anemia in African Teens and Young Mothers

Working to improve health in girls and their communities

 | Thursday, November 15, 2007

 

In Africa, anemia affects an estimated 45% of all adolescent girls. Adolescence is a time when girl’s iron requirements nearly double because they are growing so quickly and losing blood through menstruation. Malaria and parasitic infections such as hookworm also contribute to the girls’ risk of anemia. Girls suffering from iron deficiency and anemia may experience slowed growth, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and headaches that lead to lower performance in school. Because many girls in developing countries become pregnant before the age of 20, reduced iron stores may put them at risk for pregnancy complications.

USAID, through the Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care, is working with the Girl Guide Association to help improve girl’s and young mother's nutritional knowledge and encourage behavior change that will help prevent anemia. Teenagers are more likely to be open to new ideas, and anemia prevention messages can spur positive behavior changes that will continue throughout their lives. Through the Girl Guides program, girls in Uganda, Swaziland and Rwanda from the ages of 7 to 18 are learning life skills related to health and personal development and can earn an Anemia Prevention Badge.

To earn the badge, each girl must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of general nutrition, causes and consequences of anemia, iron rich foods, iron-enhancing foods and iron inhibiting foods, in addition to completing three practical activities and two community outreach projects to help other girls and women prevent anemia. Because malaria and hookworm are also primary causes of anemia, girls are also taught about their effects and preventative measures. The girls use diaries to chart their nutritional intake, create iron-rich menus for Girl Guide outings and for their families, visit a health clinic and put together an iron-rich cookbook. They also learn about the health and optimal nutrition of mothers, children and adolescents, and undertake activities to promote and improve the lives of girls and young mothers in their communities. USAID has funded the production of handbooks, workbooks and badges in both French and English that help the girls learn life skills related to health and personal development.

Through this work, the Girl Guides not only learn how to prevent anemia in themselves, but can also raise community awareness about the dangers of anemia and steps that can be taken to prevent anemia in women of reproductive age.