Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala

by Washington State University Foundation
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala
Diagnosing and treating anemia in rural Guatemala

Summary

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common, yet treatable health problems in developing nations. IDA delays growth and impairs cognitive development in children. During pregnancy, IDA increases risk of infants born with low birth weight. Traveling to 5 villages each year, nearly 1200 people are screened for IDA. Lucky Iron Fish are given to those with IDA, which provides iron for an entire family for 5 years. The goal of this project is to reduce the prevalence of IDA in Guatemala.

$4,953
total goal
$3,055
remaining
17
donors
0
monthly donors
8
years

Challenge

Due to chronic malnutrition, anemia is a common health problem among indigenous populations in rural regions of Guatemala. Anemia adversely affects the health of infants, children, and women. Barriers that make this problem particularly challenging for health-care providers include difficulty gaining access to secluded populations, a lack of screening instruments that can be used in remote settings, and treatments (iron supplements) that provide short-term solutions to a chronic health problem.

Solution

Battery-operated instruments are used to screen for anemia. Furthermore, iron supplements are a short-term solution to this chronic health problem. Alternatively, one Lucky Iron Fish provides an entire family with 75% of their daily iron requirements for 5 years. This easy, inexpensive, and effective alternative to iron supplements enriches the cooking water with iron that is used to prepare family meals. Ingredients absorb the iron-rich water, which increases the iron content of the meal.

Long-Term Impact

This project addresses multiple barriers that perpetuate the generational affects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). IDA impairs cognitive ability, growth, and development in children. During pregnancy, IDA increases risk of low birth weight infants, which compromises the health of future generations. During this 10-day medical mission, nearly 1200 Guatemalans living in poverty are screened for IDA. Because of one Lucky Iron Fish, the health of entire families will improve.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).

Resources

Organization Information

Washington State University Foundation

Location: Pullman, Washington - USA
Website:
Project Leader:
Kathy Beerman
Pullman , Washington United States
$1,898 raised of $4,953 goal
 
56 donations
$3,055 to go
Donate Now
lock
Donating through GlobalGiving is safe, secure, and easy with many payment options to choose from. View other ways to donate

Washington State University Foundation has earned this recognition on GlobalGiving:

Help raise money!

Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.

Start a Fundraiser

Learn more about GlobalGiving

Teenage Science Students
Vetting +
Due Diligence

Snorkeler
Our
Impact

Woman Holding a Gift Card
Give
Gift Cards

Young Girl with a Bicycle
GlobalGiving
Guarantee

Get incredible stories, promotions, and matching offers in your inbox

WARNING: Javascript is currently disabled or is not available in your browser. GlobalGiving makes extensive use of Javascript and will not function properly with Javascript disabled. Please enable Javascript and refresh this page.