Prevalence of Maternal Serum Zinc Deficiency and Its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women in Naivasha, Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: To document serum zinc deficiency in pregnant women of Naivasha and to examine factors associated with zinc defeiency among pregnant women in Naivasha. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study design was conducted on 172 pregnant women in a mid-sized urban industrial area, applying systematic random sampling to obtain the sample size. Serum zinc levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio and demographic factors of the women. Dietary intakes were assessed using 24-hr dietary recal and a food frequency questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using logistic and linear regression. Results: The mean serum zinc level was 66 µ66g/dl±14SD ranging from 39 to 123 µg/dl. ZD was observed in 66.9 percent of the study subjects and a 75 percent of them were in low socio-economic status. Parity was the only factor associated with ZD (AOR=3.65;95%CI:1.27-10.49;p=0.016). There was no significant association between dietary zinc intake, socio-econimc status with ZD, but women consuming Vitamin C below the RDA had a 2.62 fold risk (95%CI:0.55-12.37)  of developing ZD. A p-value of <0.05 statistical significant at 95% confidence level was used. Conclusions: Zinc deficiency is a major public health concern in this area of Kenya. This high prevalence is related to other factors other than dietary zinc intakes. These includes factors related to absorption of zinc and inadequate provision of high bioavailable foods for optimal zinc absorption in the gut. Zinc levels should be assessed in a wider population of Kenyan pregnant women in order to determine zinc prevalence across Kenyan communities.