Inadequate Status of Multiple B Vitamins is Common Among Women in Oromia Region, Ethiopia

TL;DR

This study finds that many women in Ethiopia's Oromia region are deficient in several B vitamins, highlighting a need for better nutritional assessments and interventions.

Contribution

The study reveals widespread deficiencies in multiple B vitamins among nonpregnant women in a resource-limited setting.

Findings

100% of women were deficient in riboflavin, as measured by EGRac > 1.4.

96% of women showed thiamine insufficiency based on ETKac values.

Folate and vitamin B12 insufficiencies were observed in 96% and 52.6% of participants, respectively.

Abstract

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.