Prevalence and associated factors of low serum zinc concentration in adolescents of Gambella city, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background:

Zinc deficiency is a major public health problem in many developing countries. It has been linked with reduced growth and development in adolescents. The deficiency increases vulnerability to infections, immune dysfunction, hypogonadism, and abnormal neurosensory changes. However, this problem has not received due attention, especially in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with low serum zinc concentration in high school adolescents of Gambella city, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods:

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gambella city in April 2015. A total of 346 high school adolescents were randomly selected and invited to participate in the study. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire after obtaining a written consent and assent. The concentration of zinc in serum was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Three-hundred and two high school adolescents were included in the study, with a response rate of 87.3%. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age of the respondents was 17 (±1) years. The mean (±SD) serum zinc concentration of the respondents was 134.1 (±48) µg/dL, while the prevalence of low serum zinc concentration was 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.3–12.9). The prevalence of low serum zinc concentration was 11.2% (95% CI: 5.9–16.4) in females and 8.2% (95% CI: 3.9–12.5) in males. Frequency of malaria attack in the last 2 weeks preceding the study (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.12; 95% CI: 1.58–10.66), increased physical activity (AOR=1.97; 95% CI: 1.43–6.39), low dietary diversity scores (AOR=4.23; 95% CI: 1.52–12.29), poor wealth status (AOR=4.68; 95% CI: 1.41–9.49), and being stunted (AOR=2.84; 95% CI: 1.29–7.46) were significantly associated with low serum zinc concentration.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of low serum zinc concentration was not high in the study population. The frequency of malaria attacks in the last 2 weeks, physical activity, low dietary diversity, poor wealth status, and being stunted were associated with low serum zinc concentration. Developing strategies to prevent malaria infection, enhancing physical activities, and optimizing dietary diversity scores are recommended to improve the serum zinc concentrations of adolescents.

Keywords::

• adolescents
• zinc deficiency
• serum zinc concentration
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all study subjects who voluntarily participated in the study. The authors also acknowledge Gambella Teacher Education and Health Science College for funding the study. They would also like to acknowledge Mr Adamu Belay and Mr Meseret W/Yohannes for conducting the laboratory analysis and the Ethiopian Public Health Research Institute for allowing them to use the national laboratory.

Author contributions

DGM participated in proposal development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript write-up. SMA and MMW participated in proposal development, data analysis, and manuscript write-up. FMA participated in data analysis and manuscript write-up. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.