Objectives:
In
Ethiopia, there are no data which reflect the current
prevalence of
iron deficiency (
ID) or
iron deficiency anemia (IDA) at national or regional levels. The 2014
Ethiopia National
Micronutrient Survey (ENMS)
will estimate the national and regional
prevalence of
ID and IDA among
children 6-59 months old and non-
pregnant women 15-49 years of age in
Ethiopia.
Methods:
The
prevalence of
ID will be determined by measuring
serum ferritin (SF) and soluble
transferrin receptor (sTfR) from venous
blood samples using an automated electrochemiluminescence
immunoassay (
ELISA) and immuno-
turbidimetry technique.
Iron deficiency will be defined by SF<12.0 μg/L and sTfR>6.0 mg/L for
children 6-59 months of age and SF<15.0 μg/L and sTfR>5.33 mg/L for non-
pregnant women.
Acute phase proteins alpha-1-acidglycoprotein (AGP) and
C-reactive protein (CRP)
will be measured to account for the effects of
inflammation. The
prevalence of
anemia will be determined from
hemoglobin levels in venous
blood samples using a Hemocue® photometer.
Anemia will be defined as
hemoglobin <11.0 and <12.0 g/dL for
children 6-59 months of age and non-
pregnant women, respectively. IDA
will be defined as either 1) low
serum ferritin levels and low
hemoglobin (
anemia) or 2) elevated sTfR (
iron deficiency) and low
hemoglobin (
anemia).
Results:
The national and regional
prevalence of
iron deficiency and IDA
will be presented with and without
inflammation among
children 6-59 months and non-
pregnant women 15-49 years of age in
Ethiopia.
Conclusions:
This
survey will provide national and regional data for
anemia control and fortification programs in
Ethiopia.