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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Sep;103(3):1311-1314.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0500.

Impact of Biannual Azithromycin on Anemia in Preschool Children in Kilosa District, Tanzania: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial

Evan M Bloch  1 , Beatriz Munoz  2 , Jerusha Weaver  2 , Zakayo Mrango  3 , Thomas M Lietman  4 , Sheila K West  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Impact of Biannual Azithromycin on Anemia in Preschool Children in Kilosa District, Tanzania: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial

Evan M Bloch et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

A cluster-randomized clinical trial showed that biannual single-dose azithromycin reduced mortality in preschool children; we sought to determine the effect on anemia. A simple random sample of 30 communities from Kilosa district, Tanzania, were themselves randomized to receive either 6-monthly treatment of children aged 1-59 months with single-dose azithromycin or placebo. From each community, 40 preschool children were randomly selected at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. At surveys, the children underwent hemoglobin testing; WHO definitions for anemia were applied. After adjusting for community clustering, the prevalence of anemia was not significantly different by treatment assignment at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. In each of the cross-sectional surveys, anemia prevalence was associated with younger age; the odds of being anemic was highest in those aged < 12 months. There was also a general decrease in the prevalence of anemia during the study. Although azithromycin was not shown to affect anemia, significantly, the study highlights burden of anemia in rural, African communities.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclaimer: The study sponsor did not contribute to the study design; the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; manuscript preparation, and the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Prevalence of anemia by treatment assignment at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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