Abstract
It has been evidenced that zinc deficiency has an adverse effect on both mother and fetus, and subsequent birth outcomes and child survival. However, data on the prevalence and determinants of zinc deficiency among pregnant women are scanty in the country. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of zinc deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in the study setting in particular and the country in general. Hospital based cross-sectional study was done in Gambella Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia from January to March, 2016. A randomly selected 246 pregnant women were included in this study. Blood samples were collected to analyze biochemical indicators of zinc deficiency. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to assess the effect of various explanatory variables on the serum zinc level. The mean serum zinc concentration was 58.75μg/dl (95%CI: 56.10-61.41). The overall prevalence of zinc deficiency among pregnant women was 55.3% (95% CI: 50.0-61.3). Zinc deficiency was positively associated with short birth interval (AOR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.08-6.27), the third trimester (AOR=3.76; 95% CI: 1.49-9.49), failure to consume diet of animal source (AOR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.01-5.74), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR=3.59; 95% CI: 1.45-8.96), low serum albumin level (AOR=3.05; 95%CI: 1.31-7.08), and anemia (AOR=3.09; 95%CI: 1.19-7.95). More than half (55.3%) of pregnant women had biochemical evidence of zinc deficiency. Moreover, the magnitude of zinc deficiency was pronounced among pregnant mothers with short birth interval, advanced gestational age, minimal intake of animal food sources, inadequate dietary diversity score, low serum albumin level, and low hemoglobin level (anemia). Therefore, effort should be made to encourage pregnant mothers to consume balanced diet including animal food sources particularly in their third trimester, to monitor their hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, and strengthening family planning implementations to prevent the occurrence of zinc deficiency.
Highlights
Zinc is one of the essential trace element for all forms of life and vital micronutrients with diverse physiologic and metabolic functions. [1] The total body zinc content of human subjects is 1.5-3.0 grams and it is the second most abundant trace element in the body next to iron (4 grams). [2]This mineral is an essential cofactor for more than 300 enzymes participating in the metabolism of macromolecules as well as micronutrients
Most of the other studies included different population by culture and geographical area which may contribute for the difference in prevalence unlike the current study. [3, 8, 28] in the study setting, consumption of animal food source especially fish is very common even considered as staple food which are good source of zinc. [3, 4] the prevalence may be overestimated as only pregnant women from rural areas in the third trimester were included in the study from Sidama and India, unlike the present study which targeted all pregnant women of urban and rural dwellers
The high prevalence of Zinc Deficiency (ZD) in this study as compared to the similar studies conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (11.3%) [29], Pakistan (27.8%) [30], Eastern and Central Sudan (38% and 45%) [31, 32], Malawi (46%) [33], Iran (29% and 49%) [34, 35], Vietnam (29%) [36], Bangladesh (14.7%) [37], and Uruguay (7-14%) [38] might be explained by the high food insecurity in the study setting is leading to lack of access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food which in turn leads to low zinc concentration
Summary
Zinc is one of the essential trace element for all forms of life and vital micronutrients with diverse physiologic and metabolic functions. [1] The total body zinc content of human subjects is 1.5-3.0 grams and it is the second most abundant trace element in the body next to iron (4 grams). [2]This mineral is an essential cofactor for more than 300 enzymes participating in the metabolism of macromolecules as well as micronutrients. Zinc is one of the essential trace element for all forms of life and vital micronutrients with diverse physiologic and metabolic functions. [1] The total body zinc content of human subjects is 1.5-3.0 grams and it is the second most abundant trace element in the body next to iron (4 grams). [3, 4] ZD in humans is resulted from reduced dietary intake, inadequate absorption, increased zinc loss, or increased zinc demands by the body system. The most common cause is reduced dietary intake. In the United States, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men. In the United States, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men. [5]
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