Micronutrient Deficiencies in Pre-school Age Children and Women of Reproductive Age in Jordan

Abstract

Objectives: Jordan's 2010 National Micronutrient Survey assessed the prevalence and severity of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in Jordanian women and children. Methods: A stratified multistage cluster sampling was used to establish a nationally representative household-based sample of Jordanian children (12 - 59 months) and non-pregnant women of reproductive age (15-49 years). Weighted descriptive statistics were used to calculate national prevalence and multivariate analyses were undertaken for the determination of risk factors of vitamin D deficiency Results: Anemia in children (hemoglobin < 110g/L) and women (hemoglobin < 120g/L) was a mild (17.0%) and moderate (30.6%) public health problem, respectively. Vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol < 0.70 umol/L) was prevalent in 18.3% of children and 4.8% of women. Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D3 < 11.0 ng/mL and < 12.0 ng/mL in children and women, respectively) was prevalent in 19.8% of children and 60.3% of women. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more likely in women who routinely cover themselves with a scarf compared to those women who do not cover. In urban areas, children whose mothers were vitamin D deficient were more likely to be vitamin D deficient than children whose mothers were not deficient. Conclusions: With the exception of vitamin A, a higher burden of micronutrient deficiencies is seen in Jordanian women than children. Vitamin D deficiency in women is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in Jordan with approximately 3 out of 5 women being deficient.