Premium
Anemia, Iron and Vitamin A Deficits are Still Public Health Issues Among Women and Young Children in Northern Benin
Author(s) -
Alaofe Halimatou,
Burney Jennifer,
Naylor Rosamond,
Taren Douglas
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.892.10
Subject(s) - micronutrient , medicine , anemia , underweight , micronutrient deficiency , vitamin a deficiency , iron deficiency , environmental health , iron deficiency anemia , pediatrics , cross sectional study , public health , vitamin , retinol , obesity , overweight , nursing , pathology
Background Micronutrient deficiencies are major nutritional problems in developing countries: by adversely affecting health, performance, productivity, and income, they are thus a major impediment to economic development. However, little information is available on micronutrient status and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age and children in Benin. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of micronutrient deficiencies among both populations. Method In this cross‐sectional study, a household and health questionnaire was administered to 682 women of child bearing age 15–49 years old and 686 children 6–59 months old in 2014 in Kalalé district of Northern Benin. Blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin concentration (Hb), serum ferritin, serum retinol, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP). Multivariable statistical methods were employed to assess micronutrient deficiencies, anemia, and their association with socioeconomic and dietary factors. Results In women, prevalence of anemia (48%) represented a severe public health problem, whereas prevalences of iron deficiency (ID, 17%), and vitamin A deficiency (VAD, 19%) were considered moderate, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA, 11%) was considered mild. In children, a similar pattern was observed for anemia (82%) whereas prevalences of ID (39%), IDA (33%), and VAD (44%) were also high. Low food diversity was a significant predicator of ID and VAD in women while underweight women had a greater risk for anemia. Child age had a significant effect on anemia, ID, and IDA prevalence, with the youngest age group (6–11 months) having the greatest risk for anemia and 12–23 months old children for the greatest risk for ID and IDA, as compared to other groups. Moreover, female and wasted children, and large family size had a greater risk for ID while the children of the business/salaried group of mothers had the lowest risk for anemia and VAD. Conclusion Micronutrient deficiencies are public health problems among women in childbearing age and their young children, and were greater among low food diversity women, young children and those from large family size. Thus, specific interventions are needed to improve food diversity and quality; improvements in environmental and social conditions could also help to mitigate the problems.