Using an experience-based co-design approach to develop strategies for implementing an intravenous iron intervention to treat moderate and severe anemia in pregnancy in Malawi.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, women experiencing anemia during pregnancy are recommended to take 30 mg to 60 mg of oral iron daily throughout pregnancy. However, oral iron tablets are often poorly tolerated and slow in correcting anemia, resulting in low adherence, prolonged anemia, and increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. An alternative to oral iron is intravenous (IV) iron, commonly used in high-income countries to restore the body's iron stores rapidly.