(P24-013-23) Micronutrients and Socio-Demographic Factors Were Major Predictor of Hemoglobin and Anemia in Ethiopian Population

Objectives: Anemia is characterized by low blood hemoglobin (Hb) status. Despite being a public health concern in Ethiopia, the role of micronutrients and other non-nutritional factors as a determinant of Hb concentrations has been inadequately explored. This study focused on the assessment of serum micronutrient and Hb concentrations and a range of non-nutritional factors; to evaluate their associations with the risk of anemia among young children (YC), school children (SAC), men, and women of reproductive age (WRA). It also explored the mediation effect of zinc (Zn) on the relation between selenium (Se) and Hb.

Methods: Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between serum micronutrients concentration, inflammation biomarker, nutritional status, health status, and socio-demographic factors with Hb and anemia including different demographic groups (n=2046). Sobel-Goodman test was applied to investigate the mediation of Zn on relations between Se and Hb.

Results: In total, 18.6% of participants were anemic, 5.8% had iron (Fe) deficiency, 2.6% had Fe deficiency anemia and 0.6% had tissue Fe deficiency. Major determinates of Hb in different demographic groups were age, education level of household head, low BMI, serum ferritin, Se, Zn, Cu, and folate (p < 0.05). Selenium had an indirect effect that was mediated by Zn, with a significant effect of Se on Zn (p < 0.001) and Zn on hemoglobin (p < 0.001). Age, low education level of household head, low serum ferritin, cobalt, copper, and folate were associated with anemia risk.

Conclusions: This study highlights the need for designing a multi-sectorial approach to address anemia based on their demographic group.

Funding Sources: This research was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) through the GeoNutrition project.