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Selenium Deficiency Is Widespread and Spatially Dependent in Ethiopia
Adamu Belay1,2, Edward J M Joy3, Christopher Chagumaira4,5
1Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nutrients
|May 31, 2020
Summary
Selenium deficiency is widespread in Ethiopia, affecting 35.5% of the population. Targeted interventions are crucial for regions like North-West and Western Ethiopia where selenium levels are lowest.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Selenium (Se) is vital for human health and livestock, but its soil content varies globally, impacting crop Se levels.
- Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, lacks comprehensive data on population Se status, with indications of potential widespread deficiency.
- Understanding regional Se status is critical for developing effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the serum Se concentration in a nationally representative Ethiopian population.
- To map the spatial distribution of Se status across Ethiopia using a geostatistical model.
- To identify high-risk areas for Se deficiency to guide targeted nutritional strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of archived serum samples (n=3269) from the 2015 Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS).
- Measurement of serum Se concentration using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- Application of a spatial statistical model to predict and map population Se status.
Main Results:
- The national median serum Se concentration was 87.7 μg L⁻¹.
- Significant regional variations in serum Se were observed, with the lowest levels in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region.
- 35.5% of the population exhibited Se deficiency (serum Se <70 μg L⁻¹).
- Geostatistical analysis revealed lower Se concentrations in North-West and Western Ethiopia, and higher levels in the North-East, East, and Rift Valley regions.
Conclusions:
- Selenium deficiency is a significant public health concern in Ethiopia, with a high prevalence of 35.5%.
- The risk of Se deficiency exhibits strong spatial dependence, necessitating geographically targeted interventions.
- Policies aimed at improving Se nutrition should prioritize populations in North-West and Western Ethiopia due to lower serum Se concentrations.
