The Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency among Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia.

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.

The Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and Associated Factors among Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia.

Objectives: There are no data which provide information on the current prevalence of VAD at the national and regional levels in Ethiopia. The 2014 Ethiopia National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS) will provide these estimates among children 6-59 months old and non-pregnant women 15-49 years of age in Ethiopia. Methods: The ENMS is a cross-sectional household survey designed to produce national and regionally representative estimates of vitamin A deficiency. The retinol concentration of venous blood serum will be determined by HPLC. Mild VAD will be defined as a serum retinol concentration <0.70 μmol/L and severe VAD as <0.35 μmol/L. Acute phase proteins alpha-1-acidglycoprotein (AGP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be measured by immunoassay technique to account for the effects of inflammation when interpreting VAD. Results: The national and regional prevalence of vitamin A 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 vitamin A supplementation and fortification programs in Ethiopia.