Anaemia is currently one of the most common and intractable nutritional
problems globally. It is a global public health problem that affects both
developing and developed countries with major consequences for human
health as well as social and economic development. WHO estimates the
number of anaemic people worldwide to be a staggering two billion with 1
approximately 50% of all anaemia attributable to iron deficiency . Iron
deficiency anaemia occurs at all stages of the life cycle, but is more prevalent
in pregnant women and young children. Adolescents, particularly girls, are
vulnerable to iron deficiency. The World Health Report2 (2002) identified
iron deficiency among the 10 most serious risks in countries with high infant
mortality coupled with high adult mortality and reported that measures to
address iron deficiency anaemia are among the most cost effective public 2
health interventions