The Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency among Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Objectives: Widespread zinc deficiency is likely to exist in developing countries where staple diets
are predominantly plant based and intakes of animal source foods are low. In Ethiopia, there are
no data which reflect the current prevalence of zinc deficiency at the national and regional levels.
The 2014 Ethiopia National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS) will estimate the national and regional
prevalence of Zinc deficiency among children 6-59 months old and non-pregnant women 15-49
years of age.
Methods: The ENMS is a cross-sectional household survey designed to produce national and
regionally representative estimates of zinc deficiency. The prevalence of zinc deficiency will be
determined by measuring serum zinc in venous blood samples using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry (AAS). Time of day for blood sampling, time of last meal, time of centrifugation,
and other appropriate variables will be collected to assist in interpretation of data. The zinc
deficiency cut-off defined by WHO is <70 μg/dL for all target groups will be used to analyze the
results. Acute phase proteins alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be
measured by immunoassay technique to account for the effects of inflammation when interpreting
zinc deficiency.
Results: The national and regional prevalence of zinc deficiency will be presented among children
6-59 months and non-pregnant women 15-49 years of age with and without inflammation in
Ethiopia. Conclusions: This survey will provide national and regional data for zinc supplementation and
fortification programs in Ethiopia.
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Belay Adamu, Samuel Aregash, Moges Tibebu, Abera Andinet, Beyene Yosef, W/Yohannes Meseret, Ayana Girmay, Assefa Tsehai, Kassaw Melkitu, Kebede Amha, Zerfu Dilnesaw. The Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency among Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 2015 Special issue; 5(5): 1144-1145.