Inadequate Status of Multiple B Vitamins is Common Among Women in Oromia Region, Ethiopia
2025
Christine M McDonald | Masresha Tessema | Isaac Agbemafle | Meseret Woldeyohannes | Mengistu Fereja | Kerry S Jones | Charles D Arnold | Biniyam Tesfaye | Mandana Arabi | Homero Martinez | Kenneth H Brown
The true burden of micronutrient deficiencies among women of reproductive age (WRA) in many resource-limited settings is likely underestimated, as data on several “neglected micronutrients” remain sparse. We used data from a cross-sectional survey of 100 nonpregnant WRA in the region of Oromia, Ethiopia to describe the prevalence of various micronutrient deficiencies and other indicators of nutritional status. The prevalences of anemia (hemoglobin < 13.4 g/dL, adjusted for altitude) and iron deficiency (inflammation-adjusted serum ferritin < 15 ug/L) were 7.1% and 4.0%, respectively. However, 100.0% of females were deficient in riboflavin [erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac) > 1.4], and the prevalences of thiamine insufficiency [erythrocyte transketolase activity coefficient (ETKac) 1.15–1.25], folate insufficiency [red blood cell (RBC) folate < 748 nmol/L], and vitamin B12 insufficiency (serum B12 < 221 pmol/L) were 38.8%, 96.0%, and 52.6%, respectively. Future surveys should include a more comprehensive assessment of B vitamins to corroborate these findings and inform the design of appropriate interventions to improve status.
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