Mineral micronutrient status and spatial distribution among the Ethiopian population

Belay, Adamu; Gashu, Dawd; Joy, Edward J.M.; Lark, R. Murray; Chagumaira, Christopher; Zerfu, Dilnesaw; Ander, E. Louise; Young, Scott D.; Bailey, Elizabeth H.; Broadley, Martin R.

Abstract

Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Ethiopia. However, the distribution of selenium and zinc deficiency risks has previously shown evidence of spatially dependent variability, warranting the need to explore this aspect for wider micronutrients. Here, blood serum concentrations for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo) were measured (n 3,102) on samples from the Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey. Geostatistical modelling was used to test spatial variation of these micronutrients for women of reproductive age (WRA), who represent the largest demographic group surveyed (n 1,290). Median serum concentrations were 8.6 mg dL-1 for Ca, 1.9 mg dL-1 for Mg, 0.4 μg L-1 for Co, 98.8 μg dL-1 for Cu, and 0.2 μg dL-1 for Mo. The prevalence of Ca, Mg and Co deficiency was 41.6%, 29.2% and 15.9%, respectively; Cu and Mo deficiency prevalence was 7.6% and 0.3%, respectively. A higher prevalence of Ca, Cu and Mo deficiency was observed in north western, Co deficiency in central, and Mg deficiency in north eastern parts of Ethiopia. Serum Ca, Mg, and Mo concentrations show spatial dependencies up to 140-500 km; however, there was no evidence of spatial correlations for serum Co and Cu concentrations. These new data indicate the scale of multiple mineral micronutrient deficiency in Ethiopia and the geographical differences in the prevalence of deficiencies suggesting the need to consider targeted responses during the planning of nutrition intervention programs.

Citation

Belay, A., Gashu, D., Joy, E. J., Lark, R. M., Chagumaira, C., Zerfu, D., Ander, E. L., Young, S. D., Bailey, E. H., & Broadley, M. R. (2022). Mineral micronutrient status and spatial distribution among the Ethiopian population. British Journal of Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114522000319

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 24, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Feb 3, 2022
• Publication Date: Feb 3, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 28, 2022
• Journal: British Journal of Nutrition
• Print ISSN: 0007-1145
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-2662
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114522000319
• Keywords: Nutrition and Dietetics; Medicine (miscellaneous)
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7508433
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/mineral-micronutrient-status-and-spatial-distribution-among-the-ethiopian-population/E22D7757AED84F45C99CB684AFC6B840