Table 1 Baseline characteristics of study participants
Characteristics | Iron Group (n = 433) | Noniron Group (n = 427) | p-values |
|---|---|---|---|
Age, mean (SD) [range], mo | 19.7 (8.5) [6–35] | 19.3 (8.6) [6–35] | 0.74 |
Gender (%), Male: female | 52:48 | 51:49 | 0.97 |
Anthropometric status | Â | Â | 0.55 |
 Wasting, n (%) [95% CI] | 40 (9.2) [7.3–11.0] | 32 (7.4) [5.7–9.1] |  |
 Weight-for-length Z score mean (SD) | -0.62 (1.0) | -0.59 (1.0) |  |
 Stunted growth, n (%) [95% CI] | 64 (14.7) [12.4–17.1] | 60 (13.8) [11.5–16.1] |  |
 Length-for-age Z score, mean (SD) | -0.81 (1.5) | -0.80 (1.2) |  |
 Underweight, n (%) [95% CI] | 56 (12.9) [10.7–15.4] | 46 (10.6) [8.5–12.6] |  |
 Weight-for-age Z score mean (SD) | -0.87 (1.2) | -0.85 (1.0) |  |
Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia, n (%) | 409 (23.0) | 422 (25.4) | 0.47 |
Prevalence of moderate anaemia, n (%) | 433 (40.4) | 427 (35.7) | 0.16 |
Bednet use, n (%) | 433 (100) | 427 (100) | Â |
 Yes | 379 (87.5) | 380 (89.0) |  |
 No | 34 (8.2) | 43 (10.1) |  |
 Missing | 20 (4.6) | 4 (0.9) |  |
Parasitaemia, n, geometric mean, count/µL of blood | 409, 2868.2 | 422, 2478.6 | 0.63 |
Household education, n (%) | 433 (100) | 427 (100) | 0.19 |
 None | 138 (31.9) | 137 (32.1) |  |
 Primary school | 89 (20.6) | 64 (15.0) |  |
 Middle/continuation, JSS school | 161 (37.2) | 185 (43.3) |  |
 Technical, commercial, SSS, secondary school | 23 (5.6) | 33 (7.7) |  |
 Tertiary institution | 2 (0.5) | 4 (0.9) |  |
 Missing | 20 (4.6) | 4 (0.9) |  |
No. of people in household, n, mean (SD) | 433, 6.0 (2.8) | 427, 6.2 (5.3) | 0.52 |
Wealth index of household, n (%) | 433 (100) | 427 (100) | 0.11 |
 High | 125 (28.9) | 142 (33.2) |  |
 Low | 288 (66.5) | 278 (65.0) |  |
 Missing | 20 (4.6) | 4 (0.8) |  |