Research Publication

Facilitators and barriers to implementing national iron and folic acid supplementation programmes for adolescents in India: a protocol for systematic review

Dr. Rohan Shah, is a Narotam Sekhsaria Fellow (2025) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center. Dr. Shah is mentored by Dr. Wafaie Fawzi, Richard Saltonstall Professor of Population Sciences, and Professor of Nutrition, Epidemiology, and Global Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Anemia remains a major public health concern among Indian adolescents, particularly girls. National-level and state-level initiatives led by the Government of India, aim to control iron-deficiency anemia through systematic supplementation and behavior change communication strategies. However, implementation challenges persist.

Given the limited evidence on barriers, facilitators and interventions implemented to improve the outlined national schemes, this review aims to systematically identify and synthesize evidence on barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of national iron and folic acid supplementation programs targeting adolescents aged 10–19 years in India. The review will examine issues related to program uptake, delivery, coverage, adherence, community engagement, supply chains, and access, while also identifying evidence gaps that can inform future research, policy, and practice.

Research publication such as this reflect the Harvard Chan India Research Center’s commitment to advancing public health research in India. Through initiatives such as the Narotam Sekhsaria Fellowship, the Center supports postdoctoral researchers in India in generating evidence that can inform public health policy and practice.