This large population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted by EPHI with a representative sample from nine regions and two city administrations in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, vitamin A and B 12 deficiency, folate deficiency, zinc deficiency, iodine deficiency, and adequacy of iodized salt in Ethiopia. The findings of this survey revealed that;

1. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of inflammation measured by CRP and AGP among under-five children, school children, and non-pregnant women of reproductive age was 44 %, 31.6 %, and 27.3% respectively. The prevalence of anemia adjusted for altitude among preschool children, school-age and non-pregnant women of reproductive age was 34.4, 25.6, and 17.7 %, respectively. The prevalence of Iron deficiency among preschool children, school-age children, and women of reproductive age by ferritin and adjusted for inflammation, was 17.8, 9.1, and 10.0% respectively. The national prevalence of Iron deficiency among preschool-age children, school-age children, and women of reproductive age, as measured by STFR, was estimated at 29.6%, 19.5%, and 16.4% respectively.
2. The prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was 14%, 10.9%, and 3.4% in preschool-age children, school-age children, and women of reproductive age respectively. The national vitamin A supplementation coverage in preschool-age children was 63%. The national prevalence of zinc deficiency was 35% in preschool-age children, 36% in school-age children, and 34% in women of reproductive age.
3. The prevalence of Vitamin B12, serum folate, and RBC folate among women of reproductive age was 15.1%, 17.3%, and 32% respectively. The prevalence of iodine deficiency among school-age children, with mean urinary iodine concentration below the cut-off, was 48%. Among women of reproductive age, the prevalence of iodine deficiency was 52%. National salt coverage was 85% but only about 26% of the households were getting adequately iodized salt.
4. The survey finding showed that Zinc, Vitamin A, and Iodine are public health problems according to WHO classification. Since the magnitude of the deficiencies of these micro-nutrients is widely varied among different target groups, targeted intervention is required to address the deficiency in needs.

• Micro nutrient
• Ethiopian public health institute
• prevalence
• anaemia
• vitamin A deficiency
• zinc deficiency
• Vitamin B12
• serum folate and RBC folate
• preschool age
• school age
• reproductive age

This large population-based cross-sectional survey on the Ethiopian Micronutrient survey (2015) was conducted between March and July 201 among sample representatives drawn from nine regions and two city administrations of  Ethiopia. The data was collected from eligible households using a structured, pre-tested, and modular questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and collection of blood and stool samples. The survey assessed the prevalence of inflammation using CRP and AGP, the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency measured by ferritin and adjusted for inflammation among under-five children, school children and non-pregnant women of reproductive, the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, prevalence of zinc deficiency, vitamin A supplementation coverage in the preschool age, Vitamin B12, serum folate and RBC folate among women of reproductive age. Additionally, food fortification and supplementation of micronutrients, health promotion, and disease prevention programs were assessed. Generally, this survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, vitamin A and B 12 deficiency, folate deficiency, zinc deficiency, iodine deficiency, and adequacy of iodized salt in Ethiopia.

This large population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted by EPHI with a representative sample from nine regions and two city administrations in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, vitamin A and B 12 deficiency, folate deficiency, zinc deficiency, iodine deficiency, and adequacy of iodized salt in Ethiopia. The findings of this survey revealed the following.

1. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of inflammation measured by CRP and AGP among under-five children, school children, and non-pregnant women of reproductive age was 44 %, 31.6 %, and 27.3% respectively. The prevalence of anemia adjusted for altitude among preschool children, school-age and non-pregnant women of reproductive age was 34.4, 25.6, and 17.7 %, respectively. The prevalence of Iron deficiency among preschool children, school-age children, and women of reproductive age by ferritin and adjusted for inflammation, was 17.8, 9.1, and 10.0% respectively. The national prevalence of Iron deficiency among preschool-age children, school-age children, and women of reproductive age, as measured by STFR, was estimated at 29.6%, 19.5%, and 16.4% respectively.
2. The prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was 14%, 10.9%, and 3.4% in preschool-age children, school-age children, and women of reproductive age respectively. The national vitamin A supplementation coverage in preschool-age children was 63%. The national prevalence of zinc deficiency was 35% in preschool-age children, 36% in school-age children, and 34% in women of reproductive age.
3. The prevalence of Vitamin B12, serum folate, and RBC folate among women of reproductive age was 15.1%, 17.3%, and 32% respectively. The prevalence of iodine deficiency among school-age children, with mean urinary iodine concentration below the cut-off, was 48%. Among women of reproductive age, the prevalence of iodine deficiency was 52%. National salt coverage was 85% but only about 26% of the households were getting adequately iodized salt.
4. The survey finding showed that Zinc, Vitamin A, and Iodine are public health problems according to WHO classification. Since the magnitude of the deficiencies of these micro-nutrients is widely varied among different target groups, targeted intervention is required to address the deficiency in needs.

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