Objectives
To assess the prevalence and severity of anemia, iodine deficiency disorder (IDD), zinc, and folate deficiencies among Filipino women of reproductive age. 15 -45 years old.
Methods
Data for anemia and IDD was taken from the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey (NNS) while data for zinc and folate deficiencies were taken from the 2008 NNS. Blood and urine samples were collected from women of reproductive age, 15- 45 years from selected households of the NNS and determined for hemoglobin, vitamin A, zinc and urinary iodine excretion levels. Prevalence of deficiencies, SE and 95 % CI were computed using SPSS
Results
Median urinary iodine excretion (UIE) was 126 ug/L and 19.88% (95% CI 18.8 21.0) had < 50 ug/L, indicating sufficient iodine intake. Anemia prevalence was 9.4 ± 0.4 (95% CI 8.7 10.1), classified as anemia of mild public health significance. Zinc deficiency was recorded in 30.65%, which is a high public health concern. Likewise, serum and red cell folate deficiencies are alarmingly high at 38.7% ± 2.7 (95% CI 35.9 41.5) and 20.9% ± 5.9 respectively.
Conclusions
Micronutrient deficiencies of Filipino women of reproductive are significant public health concerns. Deficiencies of zinc and folate are high and anemia prevalence is also a mild public health problem. On the other hand, iodine status was considered optimal.
