Selenium (Se) is essential for human health, however, data on population Se status and agriculturenutrition-health linkages are limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The scoping review aims to identify linkages between Se in soils/crops, dietary Se intakes, and livestock and human Se status in SSA. Online databases, organisational websites and grey literature were used to identify articles. Articles were screened at title, abstract and full text levels using eligibility criteria. The search yielded 166 articles from which 112 were excluded during abstract screening and 54 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. The scoping review included 34 primary studies published between 1984 and 2021. The studies covered Se concentrations in soils (n = 7), crops (n = 9), animal tissues (n = 2), livestock (n = 3), and human Se status (n = 15). The evidence showed that soil/crop Se concentrations affected Se concentration in dietary sources, dietary Se intake and biomarkers of Se status. Soil types are a primary driver of human Se status and crop Se concentration correlates positively with biomarkers of Se dietary status. Although data sets of Se concentrations exist across the food system in SSA, there is limited evidence on linkages across the agriculture-nutrition nexus. Extensive research on Se linkages across the food chain is warranted.
Globally, anemia is a public health problem affecting mostly women of reproductive age (WRA, n = 452) and children aged 6-59 months (n = 452) from low-and lowermiddle-income countries. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and determinants of anemia in WRA and children aged 6-59 months in rural Zimbabwe.The venous blood sample was measured for hemoglobin utilizing a HemoCue machine. Anthropometric indices were assessed and classified based on World Health Organization standards. Socioeconomic characteristics were assessed. The median (±inter quartile range (IQR)) age of WRA was 29 ± 12 years and that for children was 29 ± 14 months. The prevalence of anemia was 29.6% and 17.9% in children and WRA, respectively, while the median (±IQR) hemoglobin levels were 13.4 ± 1.8 and 11.7 ± 1.5 g/dl among women and children, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of anemia. Anemia in children was significantly associated with maternal anemia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% CI 1.21-3.37; p = .007) and being a boy (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.41-0.95; p = .029), while anemia in WRA was significantly associated with the use of unimproved dug wells as a source of drinking water (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20-0.66; p = .001) and lack of agricultural land ownership (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.31-0.85; p = .009). Anemia is a public health problem in the study setting. The positive association between maternal and child anemia reflects the possibility of cross-generational anemia. Therefore, interventions that focus on improving preconceptual and maternal nutritional status may help to reduce anemia in low-income settings.
IntroductionSelenium (Se) deficiency is increasingly recognized as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThe current cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and geospatial patterns of Se deficiency among children aged 6–59 months (n = 741) and women of 15–49 years old (n = 831) selected by simple random sampling in rural Zimbabwe (Murewa, Shamva, and Mutasa districts). Venous blood samples were collected and stored according to World Health Organization guidelines. Plasma Se concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.ResultsMedian, Q1, and Q3 plasma Se concentrations were 61.2, 48.7, and 73.3 μg/L for women and 40.5, 31.3, and 49.5 μg/L for children, respectively. Low plasma Se concentrations (9.41 μg/L in children and 10.20 μg/L in women) indicative of severe Se deficiency risk was observed. Overall, 94.6% of children and 69.8% of women had sub-optimal Se status defined by plasma Se concentrations of <64.8 μg/L and <70 μg/L, respectively.DiscussionHigh and widespread Se deficiency among women and children in the three districts is of public health concern and might be prevalent in other rural districts in Zimbabwe. Geostatistical analysis by conditional kriging showed a high risk of Se deficiency and that the Se status in women and children in Murewa, Shamva, and Mutasa districts was driven by short-range variations of up to ⁓12 km. Selenium status was homogenous within each district. However, there was substantial inter-district variation, indicative of marked spatial patterns if the sampling area is scaled up. A nationwide survey that explores the extent and spatial distribution of Se deficiency is warranted.
Background: Natural disasters like cyclones have been shown to cause food insecurity and infectious diseases leading to malnutrition. Objective: To evaluate the point prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and post cyclone Idai Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) response in Chimanimani district. Methods: A stratified random sampling method was used to select mother/child pairs who were IMAM beneficiaries. Clinic level records and reports on admissions and treatment outcome statistics were collected. Stories of most significant change (MSC), Focus Group Discussions (FDG) and Key Informants interviews were conducted. Results: At baseline, 74 children were admitted as malnourished, 25 had SAM and 49 had MAM, the number reduced to 45 with 13 SAM and 32 MAM four months post cyclone. The impact of the intervention was measured by the quality of treatment outcomes. The average cure rate from April to December for MAM was 79%, defaulter rate 19%, non-recovery 0%, died 2% and for SAM, cure rate 82%, defaulter rate 13%, died 0% and non-recovery 5%. The cure rate, non-recovery rate and death rate were in line with the SPHERE minimum standards Conclusion: The prevalence of SAM and MAM were highest two months after the cyclone with a marked reduction of cases 4 months post cyclone. The cure, death and non-recovery rate outcome indicators were desirable; however, defaulter rate compromised the effectiveness of the IMAM programme. These findings warrant the strengthening and establishment of effective defaulter follow up systems in displaced and hard to reach areas.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.