Mineral micronutrient status and spatial distribution among the Ethiopian population

Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Ethiopia. However, the distribution of Se and Zn deficiency risks has previously shown evidence of spatially dependent variability, warranting the need to explore this aspect for wider micronutrients. Here, blood serum concentrations for Ca, Mg, Co, Cu and Mo were measured (n 3102) on samples from the Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey. Geostatistical modelling was used to test spatial variation of these micronutrients for women of reproductive age, who represent the largest demographic group surveyed (n 1290). Median serum concentrations were 8 center dot 6 mg dl(-1) for Ca, 1 center dot 9 mg dl(-1) for Mg, 0 center dot 4 mu g l(-1) for Co, 98 center dot 8 mu g dl(-1) for Cu and 0 center dot 2 mu g dl(-1) for Mo. The prevalence of Ca, Mg and Co deficiency was 41 center dot 6 %, 29 center dot 2 % and 15 center dot 9 %, respectively; Cu and Mo deficiency prevalence was 7 center dot 6 % and 0 center dot 3 %, respectively. A higher prevalence of Ca, Cu and Mo deficiency was observed in north western, Co deficiency in central and Mg deficiency in north eastern parts of Ethiopia. Serum Ca, Mg and Mo concentrations show spatial dependencies up to 140-500 km; however, there was no evidence of spatial correlations for serum Co and Cu concentrations. These new data indicate the scale of multiple mineral micronutrient deficiency in Ethiopia and the geographical differences in the prevalence of deficiencies suggesting the need to consider targeted responses during the planning of nutrition intervention programmes