International Journal of Research in Advanced Engineering and Technology

Authors
Ataguadil Mekonnen, Wondwossen Terefe, Abate Bekele Belachew, Amaha Kahsay Adhanu, Kebede Embaye Gezae

Abstract
Background: It has been evidenced that zinc deficiency has an adverse effect on both mother and fetus, and subsequent birth outcomes and child survival. However, data on the prevalence and determinants of zinc deficiency among pregnant women are scanty in the country. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of zinc deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in the study setting in particular and the country in general. Materials and Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was done in Gambella Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia from January to March, 2016. A randomly selected 246 pregnant women were included in this study. Blood samples were collected to analyze biochemical indicators of zinc deficiency. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to assess the effect of various explanatory variables on the serum zinc level. Results: The mean serum zinc concentration was 58.75μg/dl (95%CI: 56.10-61.41). The overall prevalence of zinc deficiency among pregnant women was 55.3% (95% CI: 50.0-61.3). Zinc deficiency was positively associated with short birth interval ( AOR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.08-6.27), the third trimester (AOR=3.76; 95% CI:1.49-9.49), failure to consume diet of animal source (AOR=2.4; 95% CI:1.01-5.74), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR=3.59; 95% CI:1.45-8.96), low serum albumin level (AOR=3.05; 95%CI: 1.31-7.08), and anemia (AOR=3.09; 95%CI:1.19-7.95). Conclusion: More than half (55.3%) of pregnant women had biochemical evidence of zinc deficiency. Moreover, the magnitude of zinc deficiency was pronounced among pregnant mothers with short birth interval, advanced gestational age, minimal intake of animal food sources, inadequate dietary diversity score, low serum albumin level, and low hemoglobin level (anemia). Therefore, effort should be made to encourage pregnant mothers to consume balanced diet including animal food sources particularly in their third trimester, to monitor their hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, and strengthening family planning implementations to prevent the occurrence of zinc deficiency.