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The fight against iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women is a public health priority, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Spirulina is an alga very rich in iron, used as a dietary supplement. This research proposes to study its effect on the hemogloblobinaemia of pregnant women. This was a blind randomized cohort study with a supplemented group of spirulina (1500 mg/d) and a second supplemented with iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS). Included in this study were pregnant women attending four health centers in the Dakar region, with pregnancy at 28th amenorrhea, agreeing to participate and not having complications or twin pregnancies. Follow-up of the two groups was identical throughout the study from the 28th week of amenorrhea to the 42nd postnatal day. The study was conducted among 920 women, evenly distributed among the groups. IFAS allowed a statistically significant increase in hemoglobinemia with an average gain of 0.3 g/dl between the 28th and 32nd weeks of amenorrhea (p = 0.022) and 0.2 g/dl between the 28th week and the delivery (p = 0.043). Spirulina supplementation showed statistically higher gains than those observed with IFAS. These gains were 0.48 g/dl between the 28th and 32nd weeks of amenorrhea and 0.36 g/dl between the 28th week and the delivery, with p values less than 0.001. Spirulina, more accessible to developing countries, is a good option to strengthen the arsenal of iron deficiency anemia control, and therefore maternal mortality.

The anemia by iron deficiency is a public health problem. To palliate the multiple maternal and fetal consequences, the WHO recommends the iron supplementation during at least 90 days to all pregnant women. The goal of our study is to study the determinants of this consumption in the Kolda area (Senegal). It’s the analytical cross-sectional study referred. We use the survey by clusters with 2 levels and it’s about all of the women who gave birth in Kolda area between February 2013 and January 2014. The dependent variable was iron consumption during at least 90 days and the independents variables were grouped on personal factors, knowledge and practices. Data were collected during a personal interview face to face. We used logistic regression to identify the determinants of this consumption. The average age of women surveyed in 1442 was 25.5 years. They had knowledge of iron consumption (93%) and the number of antennal consultation (ANC) (66%). The prevalence of pregnant women who consumed iron at least for 90 days was 51%. The factors associated with consumption were schooling (ORa = 2.49 [1.54 - 4.03]), health awareness (ORa = 1.61 [1.25 to 2.07]), knowledge about number of ANC (ORa = 1.54 [1.18 - 2.00]), councils on the benefits of iron (ORa = 2.66 [1.77 - 4.00]), the household wealth index (ORa = 1.83 [1.04 to 3.19]), number of ANC (ORa = 2.05 [1.56 - 2.69]), age pregnancy on the first ANC (ORa = 2 [1.47 - 2.7]) and iron prescription (ORa = 1.64 [1.25 - 2.16]). The prevalence of iron consumption during at least 90 days is low in Kolda area (51%); however, its determinants are identified; we can solve the problem by increasing communicate more about iron supplementation and antenatal consultation.