Zinc Status and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women at Nifas Silk Lafto Subcity, Addis Ababa
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Zinc is important for normal human physiology and plays great role in cell growth,
reproduction and immune system from inside utero until puberty. The element is especially needed
dming pregnancy for fetal growth. However, globally about two billion people are zinc deficient.
Populations in developing countries are at special risk of zinc deficiency associated to poor diet. Only
limited studies are available in Ethiopia reporting zinc nutritional status of pregnant women. In
addition, factors assoc iated to low zmc concentration need to be identifi ed to develop optimal
intervention. This study detennines serum zinc concentration among pregnant women in selected
health settings in Addis Ababa. In addi tion, it attempts to identify significant factors for low serum
zinc in the study subj ects.
MethodoIogy:- Institutional based cross-sectional study was canied out among pregnant women
(n=226) in Addis Ababa. Information such as soc io-demographi c characteristics, antlu'opometric
characteristics, di etary di versity, and obstctric history were collected ITom study participants. In
addition, serum zinc concentration and C - reactive protein level wcre determined. Furthern10re,
hemoglobin concentration of pregnant women was measured. Statistical analysis was done using
logistic regression methods. P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered statistically
significant.
Result: The prevalence of zinc defic iency among pregnant women was 32. I % and media value of
90. 51lg/dl. Age range of participating women was 15-42 years with mean of 25.1 ±4.4 years. High
prevalence (37.6% vs 22.8, p= 0.026) of zinc deficiency was observed among multigravida mothers
when compared to prim-gravida women. Nearly th ree fourth (73.1 %) of participating women had
normal body mass index with mean value of 21.8±3.1 kg/m'. Majority, (95.8%) of the present study
participants ate starch foods group. About (52.8%) of the pregnant women had medium dicter di versity
score 24hrs preceding the survey with mean value of 4.9±1. 1. One in ten (10) of the present study
women were anemic. Pregnant women who had medium di etary diversity score reduced by 92%
likelihood of zinc deficiency than those who had high dietary diversity score (AOR: 0.075, P: <0.00 I).
Conclusions:- The prevalence of zinc deficiency among pregnant women was remain high. The
dietary diversity of the study women was dominated by starch foods group. Most of the pregnant
women had medium dieter diversity score. Maternal serum zinc level was significantly associated with
monthly income, C-reactive protein level, and trimester, number of parity, dietary diversity score and
animal source food s. Pregnant women has better to intake zinc rich animal source foods.
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Keywords
Zinc Status