Objectives Nepal has improved the national antenatal iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation program through the 'Iron Intensification Project' (IIP) between 2003 and 2011. This study assesses the effect of this enhanced IFA supplementation on the risk of neonatal mortality over a 20-year period in Nepal. Methods For the impact evaluation, we used a non-randomized stepped wedge study design, using survival information from 16,159 most recent live births from the pooled data from four Nepal

more »

... phic and Health Surveys (2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016). The primary outcomes were neonatal mortality indicators. The use of any antenatal care (ANC) services and antenatal IFA supplements were the secondary outcomes. The main exposure variable was the status of the IIP in the district of the mother's residence at the time of birth. Analyses used multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for up to 22 potential confounders, and the cluster sampling design. Results After the IIP, the risk of death on the first day of life was significantly reduced by 35% [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.43 to 0.97], in the early neonatal period by 32% (aHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.96), and in the neonatal period by 29% (aHR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.99). After the IIP, there was a significant reduction of the odds of non-use of ANC services and IFA supplements. Conclusions An enhanced IFA supplementation program was associated with a significant reduction in neonatal mortality in Nepal. Funding Sources Ph.D. scholarship from the University of Sydney.