The Prevalence of Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) and Associated Factors among Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia
Tesfaye Hailu *
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Biniyam Tesfaye
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Dilnesaw Zerfu
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Adamu Belay
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Aregash Samuel
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abinet Tekle
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tibebu Moges
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yosef Beyene
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Berhanu Wodajo
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yohannes Tesfaye
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Amha Kebede
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: There are no data which provide information on the current prevalence of VAD at the national and regional levels in Ethiopia. The 2014 Ethiopia National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS) will provide these estimates among children 6-59 months old and non-pregnant women 15-49 years of age in Ethiopia.
Methods: The ENMS is a cross-sectional household survey designed to produce national and regionally representative estimates of vitamin A deficiency. The retinol concentration of venous blood serum will be determined by HPLC. Mild VAD will be defined as a serum retinol concentration <0.70 µmol/L and severe VAD as <0.35 µmol/L. Acute phase proteins alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be measured by immunoassay technique to account for the effects of inflammation when interpreting VAD.
Results: The national and regional prevalence of vitamin A deficiency will be presented among children 6-59 months and non-pregnant women 15-49 years of age with and without inflammation in Ethiopia.
Conclusions: This survey will provide national and regional data for vitamin A supplementation and fortification programs in Ethiopia.