Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Zinc Deficiency among Young Children in Rural Burkina Faso

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of zinc deficiency among young children in rural south-western Burkina Faso. Methods: We collected socio-economic, demographic, feeding practice and morbidity information from a sample of 473 children 6-18 mo of age residing in southern Orodara health district; and measured plasma zinc concentration (PZC) by ICP-AES and C-reactive protein and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein by ELISA to adjust PZC for inflammation. Zinc deficiency was defined as PZC ˂ 65µg/L. Associations between selected risk factors and low PZC were screened in bivariate analyses and assessed by generalized multivariable logistic regression. Results: Mean adjusted PZC was 68.4±13.1 ug/L, and the prevalence of zinc deficiency was 43.5% [95%CI: 38.4-48.7]. The odds of zinc deficiency was significantly higher in households with no livestock ownership as compared to the two highest quintiles of livestock ownership (OR= 2.4- 2.5, p<0.05) and when more households shared the family compound (OR= 1.8, p<0.026 for 3-4 households as compared to 1 household per compound). Religion was also associated with zinc deficiency, but recent child morbidity history and feeding practices were not. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of zinc deficiency among young children in rural southwestern Burkina Faso, especially among children living in large family compounds. Homestead livestock rearing and possibly some religious/cultural habits may reduce the risk of zinc deficiency.