Statistical analysis

A sample size of 748 women +15% drop outs for each group was calculated to find a 10% rate of postpartum anaemia in the symptoms group versus 15% in the screening group (5% one-sided alpha, power 90%) and an 8% rate of IV iron sucrose treatment vs. 12%, respectively (5% one-sided alpha, power 83%). Groups’ baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared using Student t-test (or Wilcoxon two sample test) for continuous variables and χ2 (or Fisher’s exact test) for categorical variables.

We controlled for background characteristics using multiple logistic regressions, and presented the adjusted odds ratios. We also performed a sub-analysis of the women who completed the study requirements with regard to Hb tests and iron sucrose treatment (data is not shown but is available upon request). Statistical analyses were carried out with SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Significance was set at a p value less than 0.05.

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request and subject to the directives of the institutional review board.