Despite the efforts to reduce iron deficiency during pregnancy, information on the coverage and factors associated with utilization of iron supplements is lacking. The study is intended to assess the coverage, compliance and factors associated with the use of prenatal iron supplements in eight rural districts of Ethiopia.

Malnutrition is a major health issue affecting children, women and adolescents globally and developing countries in particular. Adolescence is a time of enormous physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial change but it remain a neglected, difficult-to-measure and hard-to-reach population. The critical role of adolescent nutrition in the intergenerational cycle of Growth failure has not been well addressed in Ethiopia. Hence, this study assesses level of low BMI-for- age and height-for- age and their associated factors among adolescent girls in northwest Ethiopia. Community based cross-sectional quantitative study was employed. A total of 1281 adolescent girls were included in the study. Multistage cluster sampling method was used. Pretested questionnaire were used to collect the data. The collected data were entered in to Epi Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 software packages for further statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. The degree of association between dependent and independent variables were assessed using odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval and variables with p-value ≤0.05 were considered significant. The prevalence of girls with BMI-for-age Z-score < −2 were 13.6 % and height-for-age Z-score < −2 were 31.5 %. Being in the age group 10–14 years (AOR = 5.83, 95 % CI: 3.26, 10.44), being in the age group 15–17 years (AOR = 2.06, 95 % CI: 1.09, 3.89), with poor dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.48, 95 % CI: 1.60, 3.84), utilizing community based nutrition service (AOR = 0.67, 95 % CI: 0.47, 0.95) were factors significantly associated with thinness in adolescent girls. Being on the age group 10–14 years (AOR = 6.07, 95 % CI: 4.00,9.22), being on the age group 15–17(AOR = 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.93, 2.09), had nutrition and health information(AOR = 1.94, 95 % CI: 1.46, 2.57), living in food secured households (AOR:0.65, 95 % CI: 0.50, 0.84) were factors affecting low height-for-age in study subjects. Finding of this study indicated that prevalence of adolescents with low BMI-for-age and low height-for-age Z-score < −2 were high. Age, dietary diversity score and community based nutrition service utilization were factors affecting low BMI-for-Age in adolescent girls. Age, food insecurity and Nutrition and health information were factors affecting low height-for- age in adolescent girls. Improving community based nutrition service utilization, food security specially in young adolescents is highly recommended.

Governments globally are stressing both direct nutrition interventions combined with nutrition sensitive policies and programs to combat malnutrition. Governance at all levels has been identified as a critical element in ensuring success of national nutrition plans. For example, the most recent National Nutrition Program (NNP) in Ethiopia discusses the essentiality of governance and coordination at all levels. The research uses a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with key informant. The research discussed in this article focuses on governance structures from national to regional to district level in Ethiopia with an emphasis on translation of a strategy and implementation of the NNP. This article concentrates primarily on results from the national and regional levels. Data at both the national and regional levels indicate that there is general agreement on the nature of the nutrition problems in Ethiopia. At all levels of government, under nutrition, food insecurity, and micronutrient deficiencies were listed as the main nutrition problems. The challenges in governance and implementation identified at both the national and regional levels, however, varied. The implementation of the 2013 NNP was in its early stages at the time of this research. While there was palpable energy around the launch of the NNP, respondents indicated issues related to leadership, coordination, collaboration, advocacy, and budget would be challenges in sustaining momentum.

Better macro and micro nutrient status and their adequate intake by the athletes have great role in balancing losses associated with strenuous exercise, then for better performance. The objective of this study was to determine iron, folate and vitamin B₁₂ status of Ethiopian professional athletes. A cross sectional study was conducted using a point time convenient sample of 101 male and female Ethiopian professional athletes of different distance categories in the period of February to April 2014. Biochemical samples, detail health and exercise related interview, performance data, 24 h dietary diversity and weekly food frequency were collected. The low, medium and high dietary diversity terciles were 36.1, 60.9 and 3.3 % respectively. The mean ± Sd of dietary diversity was 5.44 ± 1.8. Prevalence of iron overload (Serum ferritin >200 μg/L) was 11 %, whereas that of anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL), iron deficiency (ferritin < 12 μg/L) and moderate folate deficiency (210 pg/ml). The iron status of male athletes was significantly different by running-distance categories. In contrast, such difference was absent for female athletes. Performance of the athletes was associated with their red blood cell count (RBC) at p = 0.03. The high performer athletes exhibited high mean value of micronutrient status and hematological variables than their counter parts. However, the RBC of the athletes was the only parameter whose association was statistically significant. The observed gender difference in the association of running-distance category with iron and folate in this study needs further investigation. Given the 11 % iron overload in the present study; there is a need of awarance creation activities and diet intervention in the athletics federation, the athletes and the coaches in order not aggravate the present overload. Prescription of supplements such as iron-folate, multivitamins and minerals should not be based on broad spectrum rather it should be based on recent history of confirmed deficiency, clinical signs and/or laboratory testing to prevent trace element toxicity.

ObjectiveTo simulate impact of Ca supplementation on estimated total Ca intakes among women in a population with low dietary Ca intakes, using WHO recommendations: 1·5–2·0 g elemental Ca/d during pregnancy to prevent pre-eclampsia.DesignSingle cross-sectional 24 h dietary recall data were adjusted using IMAPP software to simulate proportions of women who would meet or exceed the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) assuming full or partial adherence to WHO guidelines.SettingNationally and regionally representative data, Ethiopia’s ‘lean’ season 2011.SubjectsWomen 15–45 years (n 7908, of whom 492 pregnant).ResultsNational mean usual Ca intake was 501 (sd 244) mg/d. Approximately 89, 91 and 96 % of all women, pregnant women and 15–18 years, respectively, had dietary Ca intakes below the EAR. Simulating 100 % adherence to 1·0, 1·5 and 2·0 g/d estimated nearly all women (>99 %) would meet the EAR, regardless of dosage. Nationally, supplementation with 1·5 and 2·0 g/d would result in intake exceeding the UL in 3·7 and 43·2 % of women, respectively, while at 1·0 g/d those exceeding the UL would be <1 % (0·74 %) except in one region (4·95 %).ConclusionsMost Ethiopian women consume insufficient Ca, increasing risk of pre-eclampsia. Providing Ca supplements of 1·5–2·0 g/d could result in high proportions of women exceeding the UL, while universal consumption of 1·0 g/d would meet requirements with minimal risk of excess. Appropriately tested screening tools could identify and reduce risk to high Ca consumers. Research on minimum effective Ca supplementation to prevent pre-eclampsia is also needed to determine whether lower doses could be recommended.