Research Article Open Access

Assessment of Iron, Selenium and Zinc Status of Pregnant Women in Obio-Akpor LGA Rivers State

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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
A.D. Oguizu
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
Published on: December 15, 2014
DOI 10.3923/pjn.2015.1.5
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Abstract

This research work was carried out to assess the mineral status (iron, selenium and zinc) of pregnant women in Obio-Akpor LGA. The study is a cross sectional survey. Two hundred pregnant women were randomly selected from health centers, public and private clinics providing ante-natal care from three communities in Obio-Apor LGA. Biochemical assessment of iron, selenium and zinc were obtained using standardized procedures. The questionnaire was coded and entered into computer using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 18. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square analysis was used to identify variables that had a significant role in influencing micronutrient (iron, selenium and zinc) status. The study showed that 40% of the pregnant women were iron deficient and 97.3% were zinc deficient. No case of selenium deficiency was identified in the present study. Chi-square analysis showed that there was significant association between occupation of women and zinc deficiency (p = 0.026). Pregnancy age and zinc deficiency had a significant association (p<0.05) in the pregnant women studied. The high prevalence of iron and zinc deficiency observed in the pregnant women is disturbing and alarming, suggesting a period that requires serious nutrition intervention.

Keywords:

Assessment, iron, pregnant women, rivers state, selenium, zinc

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Oguizu, A. (2014). Assessment of Iron, Selenium and Zinc Status of Pregnant Women in Obio-Akpor LGA Rivers State. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 14(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2015.1.5
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