Folic Acid Salt Study (FISFA Zambia)

Effectiveness Study of Folic Acid Fortified Iodized Salt to Increase Folate Concentrations in Women of Reproductive Age in Zambia, a Non-fortifying Country

Question: How effective is fortified iodized salt with folic acid (FISFA) in increasing serum and red blood cell folate in non-lactating, non-pregnant women of reproductive age in the country of Zambia who do not have active food fortification with a folic acid program?

Participants will:

• Consume salt with folic acid instead of their regular salt for 6 months
• Have a blood draw 4 times
• Fill out surveys

The objective of this nonrandomized controlled intervention trial is to measure the effectiveness of fortified iodized salt with folic acid (FISFA) on increasing blood folate concentrations as a preventive measure against folate-sensitive neural tube defects (NTDs) in a non-fortifying country of Zambia.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Aim 1: Measure the effectiveness of FISFA on increasing serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in women of reproductive age in a non-fortifying country.

Aim 2: Assess the risk of neural tube defects by measuring folate insufficiency levels via serum and red blood cell concentrations in women of reproductive age in a non-fortifying country.

Aim 3: Assess taste and color acceptability of FISFA by study population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Voluntary participation in the study
• Do not intend to get pregnant
• Not lactating or pregnant
• Live alone or with a partner if they can be compliant and not share the study salt.
• Aged between 18 and 45 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating