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.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: According to the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011, the proportion of households using iodized salt (>15 parts per million [PPM]) was 15.4%. The 2014 Ethiopia National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS) will estimate the national and regional proportions of households using adequately iodized (>15 ppm) salt in Ethiopia. Methods: The ENMS is a cross-sectional household survey designed to produce national and regionally representative estimates. Samples of salt (20 gram) usually consumed will be collected from approximately 4,000households for qualitative testing using the rapid test kit. Salt samples will be sent to the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Institute Laboratory where iodometric titration will be conducted. Results: The national and regional proportions of households with adequately iodized (>15 ppm) salt will be presented. Conclusions: This survey will provide national and regional data for monitoring and evaluating the progress of the Universal Salt Iodization (USI) program in Ethiopia.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective of the study was to collect Moringa stenopetala (M. stenopetala) samples from 19 locations all over Ethiopia to generate a national data on its nutritional profile Methods: Fresh green Moringa stenopetala (M. stenopetala) leaf samples obtained from farming area in different provinces in Ethiopia were dried and physicochemical analysis was carried out employing AOAC methods of analysis. Results: The samples collected had a mean value of 8.09%, 28.44%, 0.7%, 11.62%, 12.63%, 38.49%, 274Kcal of moisture, protein, fat, crude fiber, ash, carbohydrate and energy respectively. Moreover, the samples had a mean value of 54.85 mg/100gm, 1,918 mg/100gm, 2.16 mg/100gm, 0.78 mg/100gm, 38.19 mg/100gm, 2,094 mg/100gm and 214.10 mg/100gm of Fe, Ca, Zn, Cu, P, K and Na respectively. The mean value of the anti-nutritional factors analyzed – phytate and tannin – was 378.44 mg/100gm and 358.89 mg/100gm, respectively. There has been a statistically significant difference in the mean values of all nutrition composition parameters between study regions– Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR and Dire Dawa – except for tannin content of the samples. Conclusions: These finding reveals that M. stenopetala species of Moringa tree in Ethiopia has appreciable nutritional profile which can be of a great input to fight the long overdue malnutrition problem in Ethiopia.