Linkages between soil, crop, livestock, and human selenium status in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Selenium (Se) is essential for human health, however, data on population Se status and agriculture-nutrition-health linkages are limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The scoping review aims to identify linkages between Se in soils/crops, dietary Se intakes, and livestock and human Se status in SSA. Online databases, organisational websites and grey literature were used to identify articles. Articles were screened at title, abstract and full text levels using eligibility criteria. The search yielded 166 articles from which 112 were excluded during abstract screening and 54 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. The scoping review included 34 primary studies published between 1984 and 2021. The studies covered Se concentrations in soils (n = 7), crops (n = 9), animal tissues (n = 2), livestock (n = 3), and human Se status (n = 15). The evidence showed that soil/crop Se concentrations affected Se concentration in dietary sources, dietary Se intake and biomarkers of Se status. Soil types are a primary driver of human Se status and crop Se concentration correlates positively with biomarkers of Se dietary status. Although data sets of Se concentrations exist across the food system in SSA, there is limited evidence on linkages across the agriculture-nutrition nexus. Extensive research on Se linkages across the food chain is warranted

Anemia in children aged 6–59 months was significantly associated with maternal anemia status in rural Zimbabwe

Globally, anemia is a public health problem affecting mostly women of reproductive age (WRA, n = 452) and children aged 6–59 months (n = 452) from low- and lower-middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and determinants of anemia in WRA and children aged 6–59 months in rural Zimbabwe. The venous blood sample was measured for hemoglobin utilizing a HemoCue machine. Anthropometric indices were assessed and classified based on World Health Organization standards. Socioeconomic characteristics were assessed. The median (±inter quartile range (IQR)) age of WRA was 29 ± 12 years and that for children was 29 ± 14 months. The prevalence of anemia was 29.6% and 17.9% in children and WRA, respectively, while the median (±IQR) hemoglobin levels were 13.4 ± 1.8 and 11.7 ± 1.5 g/dl among women and children, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of anemia. Anemia in children was significantly associated with maternal anemia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% CI 1.21–3.37; p = .007) and being a boy (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.41–0.95; p = .029), while anemia in WRA was significantly associated with the use of unimproved dug wells as a source of drinking water (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20–0.66; p = .001) and lack of agricultural land ownership (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.31–0.85; p = .009). Anemia is a public health problem in the study setting. The positive association between maternal and child anemia reflects the possibility of cross-generational anemia. Therefore, interventions that focus on improving preconceptual and maternal nutritional status may help to reduce anemia in low-income settings

Anemia in children aged 6-59 months was significantly associated with maternal anemia status in rural Zimbabwe.

Globally, anemia is a public health problem affecting mostly women of reproductive age (WRA, n = 452) and children aged 6–59 months (n = 452) from low- and lower-middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and determinants of anemia in WRA and children aged 6–59 months in rural Zimbabwe. The venous blood sample was measured for hemoglobin utilizing a HemoCue machine. Anthropometric indices were assessed and classified based on World Health Organization standards. Socioeconomic characteristics were assessed. The median (±inter quartile range (IQR)) age of WRA was 29 ± 12 years and that for children was 29 ± 14 months. The prevalence of anemia was 29.6% and 17.9% in children and WRA, respectively, while the median (±IQR) hemoglobin levels were 13.4 ± 1.8 and 11.7 ± 1.5 g/dl among women and children, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of anemia. Anemia in children was significantly associated with maternal anemia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% CI 1.21–3.37; p = .007) and being a boy (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.41–0.95; p = .029), while anemia in WRA was significantly associated with the use of unimproved dug wells as a source of drinking water (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20–0.66; p = .001) and lack of agricultural land ownership (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.31–0.85; p = .009). Anemia is a public health problem in the study setting. The positive association between maternal and child anemia reflects the possibility of cross-generational anemia. Therefore, interventions that focus on improving preconceptual and maternal nutritional status may help to reduce anemia in low-income settings

Determinants of nutritional status in children under three years of age in rural Zimbabwe: the case of Shamva and Makoni Districts

Background: Malnutrition contributes significantly to the child health burden in developing countries. Stunting, wasting and underweight are associated with poor physical growth, increased morbidity, mortality and retarded cognitive development.Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess determinants of malnutrition among children under three years of age from rural households.Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study carried out in Shamva and Makoni districts of ZimbabweSubjects: A total of 186 mother-child pairs were randomly selected and an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to capture socio-demographic data from participants. Scales, wooden height-boards and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference tapes were used to take anthropometric measurements using the WHO guidelines. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Emergency Nutrition Assessment for Standardised Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition (ENA for SMART) software packages were used to analyse data. The World Health Organization (2006) reference standards were used to calculate z-scores.Results: Child wasting, underweight and stunting prevalences were 8.6%, 7% and 18% respectively. Overweight was 11.6% among children. Mother's Body Mass Index (p=0.044), marital status (p=0.035), household income (p=0.021), low birth weight (p=0.029) and duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.014) were found to be significant determinants of malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher among boys compared to girls (p=0.038 and p=0.040) while the risk increased with age (p=0.041).Conclusions: Mother's Body Mass Index (BMI), marital status and household income were determinants of malnutrition. The main individual determinants of malnutrition among under-three children were low birth weight and reduced period of exclusive breastfeeding