Assessment of Micronutrient Situation among Reproductive-Age Women (15-49) and Under-Five Children in Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient malnutrition is a form of undernutrition that causes diseases, and this is mainly due to insufficient intake of nutrients in daily foods. The status of micronutrients for people in Sudan remains scarce, and information is limited. The aim of this study is to highlight the status of micronutrients among women of reproductive age (15-49 years of age) and their children in Sudan. METHODS: This manuscript is a quantitative descriptive study, based on the data from Sudan Micronutrient Survey (SMS); it is part of the second round of the Simple Spatial Survey Method (S3M II) in Sudan (a total of 93,882 households). RESULTS: The level of consumption of vitamin A-rich foods was found to be moderate at 67.36% for reproductive-age women and low at 23.44% for under-five children. Similarly, consumption rate of vitamin B-rich foods among reproductive-age women was 62.13%, and low for children at 11.02%. The consumption of iron-, calcium-, and zinc-rich foods was moderate among women (66.75%, 47.69%, 69.72%, respectively) and very low in children (12.28%, 17.62%, 14.99%, respectively). The iron deficiency prevalence was 47% in non-pregnant women, 58% in pregnant women, and 54% in children. The prevalence of anemia was 30% in non-pregnant women, 37% in pregnant women, and 48% in children. Generally, urinary iodine concentration was inadequate in lactating and non-pregnant women as well as in pregnant women. Most indicators of micronutrients in Sudan for children and women of reproductive age were highly significant. Sudan needs more efforts to create an enabling environment through legislation, policies, and strategies to strengthen the nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions and improving status of micronutrients among women and children, focusing on food fortification, food supplements, and counseling on micronutrients intake for mothers during antenatal and postnatal services as well as raising community awareness.

Total energy expenditure (H218O), physical activity level and milk output of lactating rural Bangladeshi tea workers and nontea workers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), milk output and physical activity level (PAL) of chronically malnourished lactating women using the doubly labelled water method (DLW). DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal study designed to assess the extent of malnutrition and energetics of lactating tea workers and nontea workers. SETTING: North-east Bangladesh on women working and living in the same tea estates. SUBJECTS: Of an original cohort of 150 lactating women, 30 were selected to participate in this study when they were at about 12 months postpartum. One mother subsequently dropped out. INTERVENTIONS: On day 1 each women provided a urine sample, was administered a dose of DLW and 6 h later provided another sample. Further urine samples were collected for 21 subsequent days. In addition, every 5 days the mother provided a milk sample and at the same time her baby provided a urine sample. RESULTS: Mean (s.d.) BMI was 17.4 (1.63). Mean TDEE and PAL were significantly higher in workers than nonworkers (8.42 (1.38) and 6.83 (2.09) MJ/day, P = 0.02 and 1.92 (0.34) and 1.59 (0.44), P = 0.03, respectively). Mean milk output was similar in the two groups (672 (180) ml and 749 (189) ml in workers and nonworkers, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on international BMI cutoffs, 79% of mothers were suffering from some degree of chronic energy deficiency. A total of 35% of workers and 17% of nonworkers were engaged in strenuous physical activity. The mean milk output of both workers and nonworkers was not different and was high especially as most of the mothers were about 12 months postpartum. No relationship was found between menses return and any of the variables studied. SPONSORSHIP: World Health Organization, Nestle Foundation, UNICEF.