As it has been discussed earlier in the previous study session, micronutrients are essential to help the body in all its functions, including reproduction, immunity to fight against infection, use their brains and have functional sense organs. Even though micronutrients are needed in a small amount, since they are essential their intake below the recommended allowance could cause a problem known as micronutrient deficiency diseases.

As micronutrients include all vitamins and minerals that you have discussed in the previous session, among the many micronutrients three have got global attention due to their high public health importance. These micronutrients are Vitamin A, Iodine and Iron. If people don't get sufficient vitamin A, Iodine and Iron, this can lead to grave health as well as social and economic consequences. These three micronutrients are also the area of attention in our country as they are causing serious public health problems especially upon mothers, children and adolescents. Children, Pregnant and lactating mothers are at particular risk of developing these nutritional deficiency diseases.

Vitamin A, Iodine and Iron Deficiencies in Ethiopia

Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of preventable blindness if it not treated early. Vitamin A deficiency also can cause impaired in immunity and poor epithelial cell function. Vitamin A supplementation is given for children and lactating mothers at the following dose:

  • Children age 6 - 11 months: 100,000IU every 6 months till the child age reaches 5 years.
  • Children age 12 - 59 months: 200,000IU every 6 months till the child age reaches 5 years.
  • Lactating mothers within 45 days after birth: 200,000 IU.

Iron deficiency anemia is the commonest form of anemia in Ethiopia. According to the 20011 EDHS report, more than 4 in 10 children (age 6 - 59 months) are classified as having any form of anemia, most of whom have mild or moderate anemia (mainly due to low blood iron level). According to the report, the current prevalence of anemia in children and women in Ethiopia is 44 % and 17%, respectively. Women are anemic; the mild form of anemia is the most common form of anemia among both women and children.

If untreated early, the consequences of anemia are multiple. Iron deficiency can delay muscular and nervous system development and mental performance, especially in preschool age children. In adults, anemia reduces work capacity, mental performance and reduces tolerance to infections. Iron deficiency anemia can also cause increased maternal mortality due to bleeding problems. Maternal anemia can lead to prenatal infant loss, low birth weight, and pre-term births.

Iodine deficiency disease is one of the critical micronutrient deficiency diseases in our country. One out of every 1000 people is affected and about 50,000 prenatal deaths occur yearly due to iodine deficiency disorder. As it was indicated in the 2005 national IDD survey, a goitre (enlargement of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck) rate was over 35%. This was considered as emergency proportions by WHO standards. There is a marked decrease in the number of Ethiopian households that consume iodized salt compared with a decade ago, leading to increased iodine deficiency disorder.

It is beyond the individual human suffering that malnutrition reduces mental development resulted in a slower learning capacity and productivity that will have a significant adverse effect on the economy.

Last modified: Sunday, 26 February 2017, 5:05 PM