Spatial farming systems diversity and micronutrient intakes of rural children in Ethiopia.

Own production contributes much of the food supply in smallholder production systems in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. Understanding the potential as well as constraints of these production systems in terms of nutrient supplies is thus a critical step to design interventions to improve nutrient intakes. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the usual total intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc among rural children and (2) to investigate whether the intakes these nutrients are associated with differences in the dominant farming systems between spatial clusters. Using nationally representative intake data of 4,902 children 6-35 months of age, usual intake and the proportion of inadequate intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc were calculated. A multi-level model was used to examine the association between individual-level and cluster-level variables with the usual total dietary intakes of these nutrients. The diet was dominated by starchy foods. Consumption of animal source foods, vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables was low. We found a high prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin A and zinc (85.4% and 49.5%, respectively). Relatively, low prevalence of inadequate intake of iron (8.4%) was reported. The spatial farming systems diversity across the rural clusters explained 48.2%, 57.2% and 26.7% of the observed variation in the usual total dietary intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc, respectively. Our findings indicated the importance of farming system diversity at the landscape level as one of the determinant factors for individual usual total dietary intakes of vitamin A, iron and zinc.

Applying international guidelines for calcium supplementation to prevent pre-eclampsia: simulation of recommended dosages suggests risk of excess intake in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To simulate impact of Ca supplementation on estimated total Ca intakes among women in a population with low dietary Ca intakes, using WHO recommendations: 1·5-2·0 g elemental Ca/d during pregnancy to prevent pre-eclampsia. DESIGN: Single cross-sectional 24 h dietary recall data were adjusted using IMAPP software to simulate proportions of women who would meet or exceed the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) assuming full or partial adherence to WHO guidelines. SETTING: Nationally and regionally representative data, Ethiopia's 'lean' season 2011. SUBJECTS: Women 15-45 years (n 7908, of whom 492 pregnant). RESULTS: National mean usual Ca intake was 501 (sd 244) mg/d. Approximately 89, 91 and 96 % of all women, pregnant women and 15-18 years, respectively, had dietary Ca intakes below the EAR. Simulating 100 % adherence to 1·0, 1·5 and 2·0 g/d estimated nearly all women (>99 %) would meet the EAR, regardless of dosage. Nationally, supplementation with 1·5 and 2·0 g/d would result in intake exceeding the UL in 3·7 and 43·2 % of women, respectively, while at 1·0 g/d those exceeding the UL would be <1 % (0·74 %) except in one region (4·95 %). CONCLUSIONS: Most Ethiopian women consume insufficient Ca, increasing risk of pre-eclampsia. Providing Ca supplements of 1·5-2·0 g/d could result in high proportions of women exceeding the UL, while universal consumption of 1·0 g/d would meet requirements with minimal risk of excess. Appropriately tested screening tools could identify and reduce risk to high Ca consumers. Research on minimum effective Ca supplementation to prevent pre-eclampsia is also needed to determine whether lower doses could be recommended.

Multisector Nutrition Program Governance and Implementation in Ethiopia: Opportunities and Challenges.

Governments globally are stressing both direct nutrition interventions combined with nutrition sensitive policies and programs to combat malnutrition. Governance at all levels has been identified as a critical element in ensuring success of national nutrition plans. For example, the most recent National Nutrition Program (NNP) in Ethiopia discusses the essentiality of governance and coordination at all levels. The research uses a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with key informant. The research discussed in this article focuses on governance structures from national to regional to district level in Ethiopia with an emphasis on translation of a strategy and implementation of the NNP. This article concentrates primarily on results from the national and regional levels. Data at both the national and regional levels indicate that there is general agreement on the nature of the nutrition problems in Ethiopia. At all levels of government, under nutrition, food insecurity, and micronutrient deficiencies were listed as the main nutrition problems. The challenges in governance and implementation identified at both the national and regional levels, however, varied. The implementation of the 2013 NNP was in its early stages at the time of this research. While there was palpable energy around the launch of the NNP, respondents indicated issues related to leadership, coordination, collaboration, advocacy, and budget would be challenges in sustaining momentum.

Coverage, compliance and factors associated with utilization of iron supplementation during pregnancy in eight rural districts of Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the efforts to reduce iron deficiency during pregnancy, information on the coverage and factors associated with utilization of iron supplements is lacking. The study is intended to assess the coverage, compliance and factors associated with the use of prenatal iron supplements in eight rural districts of Ethiopia. METHODS: The study comprised two independent surveys conducted among pregnant women (n = 414) and women who gave birth in the preceding year of the survey (n = 1573). In both cases, respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique and data were collected via structured questionnaire. Predictors of iron supplement utilization (ranked categories of number of prenatal supplements taken) were identified using ordinal logistic regression. The outputs of the analysis are given using adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). RESULTS: Among women who gave birth in the preceding year, 35.4% (95% CI: 31.3-39.5) were given/prescribed prenatal iron supplement during the index pregnancy and only 3.5% were supplemented for the recommended 91 or more days. Compared to women who had 4 or more ANC visits, those with 0, 1, 2 and 3 visits had 0.04, 0.33, 0.50 and 0.60 times less odds of iron supplement utilization, respectively. Women lacking comprehensive knowledge of anemia (OR = 0. 75 (95% CI: 0.57-0.97)) and those who weren't informed about the importance of iron supplementation during the pregnancy (OR = 0. 05 (95% CI: 0.04-0.07)) had significantly lower utilization. On the other hand, in pregnant women the prevalence of anemia was 33.2%. Among pregnant women who were given/prescribed supplements, the average level of compliance was 74.9% and about 25.1% had less than 70% adherence. The leading reported reasons for non-adherence were side-effects (63.3%) and forgetfulness (16.7%). CONCLUSION: Promoting early and frequent ANC, enhancing the quality of ANC counseling and promoting the knowledge of women on anemia are essential strategies for improving the utilization of iron supplements.

Food insecurity among low-income households in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

With the rapid urbanization in developing countries, poverty and food insecurity are becoming increasing prevalent, posing a major challenge to urban areas. The COVID-19 pandemic induced job losses and reduced income combined with inflation have further exacerbated the household food insecurity situation, particularly in cities of low-income countries. Our study aims to assess the extent of food insecurity and its determinants among low-income household in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among a sample of 578 households in Addis Ababa. We estimated the household food insecurity status using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). An ordinal logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between household food insecurity status and the socioeconomic and demographic covariates. The STATA 14 software package was used for data analysis. We found that household food insecurity was prevalent among low-income households in Addis Ababa, with a prevalence rate of 92.4 % (95 % CI: 90.2-94.6 %). Of these households, 33.6 % (95 % CI: 29.7-37.4 %) were severely food insecure. To cope with the food shortage, households were forced to reduce their food quantity and quality. We also found that respondent's education, engagement in income generating activities, and household wealth were independently associated with household food insecurity. We conclude that although supporting people living below the poverty line (pro-poor) remains the top priority for social protection programs, adapting the program to accommodate the working poor (informal sector employees and casual workers) is crucial, especially during shocks.

Modeling the Contribution of Multiple Micronutrient Fortification of Salt to Daily Nutrient Intake Among the Ethiopian Population.

Background: Salt is an affordable commodity and has wide coverage regardless of economic and social status and, hence, could be suitable vehicle for multiple micronutrient fortification. Objectives: This study aimed to simulate the contribution folic acid and zinc fortification of iodized salt to nutrient intake among the Ethiopian population. Methods: The 2013 Ethiopian National Food Consumption Survey and various food composition tables were used to estimate baseline individual-level micronutrient intake. Usual intake was estimated using the Simulating Intake of Micronutrients for Policy Learning and Engagement macro tool. Discretionary salt consumption was calculated from total salt intake estimated using urinary sodium excretion. Fortificant addition rates were set to obtain maximum nutrient intake while simultaneously constraining that population with intake above the tolerable upper intake level to <5%. Addis Ababa and Somali (N = 2271), the regions with relatively the lowest and highest micronutrient deficiency prevalence in Ethiopia, were selected. Result: Baseline median intake of Zn was below the estimated average requirement for all demographic groups. Inadequate Zn intake ranged from 73% to 99%, the highest prevalence being observed among women in lower class of wealth quintiles from Somali region. Dietary folate inadequacy was as low as 2% among men in Addis Ababa but almost all (99%) women from Somali region had inadequate folate intake. Calculated discretionary salt intake was 7.5 g/d for adult men and women and 3.4 g/d for children. With addition 0.8 mg Zn and 30 µg of folic acid per gram of salt, multiple salt fortification is estimated to reduce Zn inadequacy by 38 percentage points in urban areas and19 percentage points in rural areas. Modeled reduction in folate inadequacy were 18% in urban areas and 22% in rural areas. Conclusions: Multiple salt fortification could be an effective approach to address micronutrient adequacy in Ethiopia given efficacious, technological, and economical feasibility.

Dietary zinc intake and its determinants among Ethiopian children 6-35 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Adequate zinc intake is essential for the growth and neurobehavioral development of young children. Zinc deficiency in children is recognized as risk factor for stunting. In Ethiopia, 38% of children under five years of age are stunted. This analysis was conducted to measure dietary zinc intake and to identify its determinants among children 6-35 months of age to design appropriate intervention. METHODS: Nationally and regionally representative data available from 6752 children 6-35 months of age from the Ethiopian national food consumption survey were analyzed. A multivariate model was used to identify determinants of dietary zinc intake. RESULTS: We found low dietary zinc intake among children 6-35 month age. National average dietary zinc intake was 1.74 mg/day. Socio-economic status, maternal education, and maternal age were positively associated with dietary zinc intake, while the number of children under 5 years-of-age in a household was negatively associated with dietary zinc intake (p < 0.0001). Children reportedly sick in the previous 2 weeks were most likely to have low dietary zinc intake (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The observed low dietary zinc intake in Ethiopian children has a significant association with health status of children, providing evidence for nutrition and health planners to emphasize on promoting consumption of zinc rich foods and preventing morbidity from common infections.

Energy and nutrient intake of infants and young children in pastoralist communities of Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Nutrient intake from complementary foods often is suboptimal in subsistent farming households of developing countries, but little is known about this in pastoralist communities. The aim of this study was to estimate the energy and nutrient intake of children ages 6 to 23 mo living in pastoralist communities of Ethiopia. METHOD: As part of the Ethiopian National Food Consumption Survey, 24-h dietary recall data were collected through in-home interviews from a nationally representative sample. In the present study, we report on the feeding characteristics, energy and nutrient intake of infants and young children (ages 6-23 mo) living in pastoralist communities (N = 896) of Ethiopia. Energy and nutrient intakes were estimated and compared with estimated needs from complementary foods. The nutrient density of the complementary diets was compared with desired densities. RESULTS: About one-third of the children were stunted. Diets were predominantly dairy and cereal-based. The dietary diversity score was low (2 ± 1.2). Consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as animal source foods (other than milk), vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables was very low. Energy intake from complementary foods were inadequate. Multiple micronutrient deficiencies including thiamin, niacin, iron, zinc, and calcium and in some instances vitamins A and C were observed in young children. The number of micronutrients for which intake was found deficient increased with child's age. CONCLUSION: Energy and nutrient intakes from complementary foods are inadequate in pastoralist communities of Ethiopia. Interventions that improve knowledge and practice of complementary feeding are needed in this setting.

Iron, folate and vitamin B12 status of Ethiopian professional runners.

BACKGROUND: Better macro and micro nutrient status and their adequate intake by the athletes have great role in balancing losses associated with strenuous exercise, then for better performance. The objective of this study was to determine iron, folate and vitamin B12 status of Ethiopian professional athletes. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted using a point time convenient sample of 101 male and female Ethiopian professional athletes of different distance categories in the period of February to April 2014. Biochemical samples, detail health and exercise related interview, performance data, 24 h dietary diversity and weekly food frequency were collected. RESULTS: The low, medium and high dietary diversity terciles were 36.1, 60.9 and 3.3 % respectively. The mean ± Sd of dietary diversity was 5.44 ± 1.8. Prevalence of iron overload (Serum ferritin >200 µg/L) was 11 %, whereas that of anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL), iron deficiency (ferritin < 12 µg/L) and moderate folate deficiency (<5.9 ng/mL) was 3, 2 and 20.8 % respectively. There was no iron deficiency anemia case in the study. In this study, the mean serum vitamin B12 concentration was 561 ± 231 pg/ml with a minimum and maximum value of 210 and 1736 pg/ml respectively, and there was no deficiency for this nutrient (>210 pg/ml). The iron status of male athletes was significantly different by running-distance categories. In contrast, such difference was absent for female athletes. Performance of the athletes was associated with their red blood cell count (RBC) at p = 0.03. The high performer athletes exhibited high mean value of micronutrient status and hematological variables than their counter parts. However, the RBC of the athletes was the only parameter whose association was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The observed gender difference in the association of running-distance category with iron and folate in this study needs further investigation. Given the 11 % iron overload in the present study; there is a need of awarance creation activities and diet intervention in the athletics federation, the athletes and the coaches in order not aggravate the present overload. Prescription of supplements such as iron-folate, multivitamins and minerals should not be based on broad spectrum rather it should be based on recent history of confirmed deficiency, clinical signs and/or laboratory testing to prevent trace element toxicity.