Improving Anemia Status of Female Garment Workers in Bangladesh: An Evaluation of Pilot Intervention in Four Factories

A nutritionally enhanced lunch meal program (increased dietary diversity plus inclusion of multi-nutrient fortified rice), provision of once weekly iron/folate supplement to female workers, and a BCC program conducted in the factory setting focused on improving health and nutrition for women and children, with a focus on anemia prevention.The BCC program will be enhanced to include modules on nutrition (balanced diets/dietary diversity, iron/folate rich foods), infant and young child nutrition (IYCN), and an overview module on anemia prevention, hand-washing with soap and dietary diversity at the very beginning of the intervention.

In a selected garment factory that does not have a lunch program, the intervention will consist of the twice weekly provision of iron/folate supplements to female workers, and the enhanced BCC program, as described above.

One control factory who provides regular lunch meal and a nutrition and health behavior change communications (BCC) program.

One control factory was selected where only the standard Behavior change communication (BCC) was implemented.