It is estimated that more than 30% of women of reproductive age worldwide are anaemic. At least half of this anaemia burden is assumed to be due to iron deficiency. Because women of reproductive age lose iron through menstruation and their diets are often lacking in available iron, they are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency.

Daily supplementation with iron and folic acid for a period of 3 months has been the standard approach for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anaemia among women of reproductive age. Despite its proven efficacy, there has been limited success with the daily regimen public health programmes, which is thought to be primarily due to low coverage rates, insufficient tablet distribution and low adherence.

Recent evidence suggests that iron and folic acid supplements consumed once, twice or three times a week on non-consecutive days by all women of reproductive age are an effective, safe and more acceptable alternative to daily iron supplements, including in settings where malaria is endemic.