Abstract
AB020. Bridging vertical gaps: integrating deworming and micronutrient powders to tackle childhood anemia in Bangladesh
Haribondhu Sarma1, Nabila Nohash2, N. M. Rabiul Awal Chowdhury2, Shuvagato Mondal1, Asaduzzaman Hridoy2, Ahnaf Shahriar Ricky2, Salena Parvin Jarna2, Mohammad Ashikur Rahman3, Imran Ahmed Chowdhury4, Md Akramul Islam3, Samantha Colquhoun1, Darren James Gray5, Matthew Kelly1
1National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia;
2Department of Anthropology, Comilla University, Cumilla, Bangladesh;
3BRAC Health Program, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh;
4Rural Community Programme, BRAC, Dhaka, Bangladesh;
5Population Health Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Background: Anaemia and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are major public health challenges among children in low- and middle-income countries. In Bangladesh, anaemia affects 61% of children under two, while STH prevalence remains significant. Although micronutrient powder (MNP) supplementation and deworming interventions are implemented separately, integrating them through community-based platforms may enhance health outcomes and program efficiency. The objective of this study is to assess the acceptability of integrating periodic deworming into an existing MNP program for children aged 6–59 months delivered by Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)’s community health workers (CHWs).
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Comilla and Feni districts using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). We collected data through 16 in-depth interviews with caregivers, four focus group discussions with 33 CHWs, and four key informant interviews with BRAC program managers. Data were analysed thematically using a combination of deductive (TFA-based) and inductive approaches.
Results: The integrated intervention was generally perceived as acceptable, practical, and beneficial for child health. CHWs and caregivers welcomed the potential for improved outcomes but highlighted challenges including caregiver affordability, community misconceptions, and the need for CHW refresher training. CHWs also raised concerns over increased workload without compensation, which blurred the lines between perceived burden and opportunity cost. No significant ethical or cultural objections were reported.
Conclusions: Integrating deworming with MNP delivery through CHWs is feasible and acceptable in Bangladesh. To ensure successful scale-up, implementers must address community awareness, CHW support, and financial accessibility. These findings offer actionable insights for designing integrated child health interventions in resource-constrained settings.
Keywords: Anemia; Bangladesh; community health workers (CHWs); deworming; micronutrient powder (MNP)
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
doi: 10.21037/jphe-26-ab020
Cite this abstract as: Sarma H, Nohash N, Chowdhury NMRA, Mondal S, Hridoy A, Ricky AS, Jarna SP, Rahman MA, Chowdhury IA, Islam MA, Colquhoun S, Gray DJ, Kelly M. AB020. Bridging vertical gaps: integrating deworming and micronutrient powders to tackle childhood anemia in Bangladesh. J Public Health Emerg 2026;10:AB020.
