A REVIEW ON MICRONUTRIENTS DEFICIENCY IN AFRICA AND IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH

ABSTRACT

Micronutrients which are nutrients that are only needed by the body in minute amounts play leading roles in the production of enzymes, hormones and other substances and also help to regulate growth activity, development and functioning of the immune and reproductive systems. MicronutrientsPace ficiency conditions are widespread among 2 billion people in developing and in developed countries. These are silent epidemics of vitamin and mineral deficiencies affecting people of all genders and ages, as well as certain risk groups. They not only cause specific diseases, but they act as exacerbating factors in infectious and chronic diseases, greatly impacting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. The long-term consequences of micronutrient deficiencies are not only seen at the individual level but also have deleterious impacts on the economic development and human capital at the country level. Prevention of micronutrient deficiencies is critical and traditionally has been accomplished through supplementation, fortification, and food-based approaches including diversification. Deficiencies in some groups of people at special risk require supplementation, but the most effective way to meet community health needs safely is by population based approaches involving food fortification. These complementary methods, along with food security, education, and monitoring, are challenges for public health. Africa is home to some of the most nutritionally insecure people in the world. Poor infrastructure and limited resources compounded with conflict, HIV, and poor access to health services are factors that contribute to the staggering levels of malnutrition and food insecurity on the continent. Despite these enormous challenges, some countries in Africa are making progress towards food and nutrition security and there has never been a better time to work towards improved human development that has nutrition as a goal. These paper reviews micronutrient deficiencies in Four African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Sierra Leone as well as the strategies that have been used in mitigating the impact on human health.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Content           Page

TITLE PAGEI

DECLARATIONII

CERTIFICATION        III

DEDICATIONIV

ACKNOWLEDGXINTV

TABLE OF CONTENTIV           

 LISTS OF TABLESIX 

LISTS OF FIGURESX

ABSTRACTXI

1.0 INTRODUCTION1       

1.1 Objective3

1.1.1 Broad Obejective3

1.1.2 Specific Objectives3

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW4

2.1 Micronutrients        4

2.1.2 Micronutrients in Food4

2.2 Micronutrients Deficiencies 8

2.2.1 Causes of Micronutrient Deficiencies11

2.2.2 Micronutrients Deficiencies of Greatest Public Concern12

2.2.2.1 Iron12

2.2.2.2 Vitamin A13

2.2.2.3 Iodine14

2.2.2.4 Folate        15

2.2.2.5 Zinc16

2.3 Multiple Micronutrient Deficiencies        17

2.4 Micronutrients deficiency, impact and Intervention in Selected African Countries19

2.4.1 Nigeria        19

2.4.1.1 Affected Populations19

2.4.1.2 Risk Factors        20

2.4.1.3 Consequences        20

2.4.1.4 What to Do20

2.4.2 Ghana 21

2.4.2.1 Nutrition Situation.         21 

2.4.2.2 National Nutrition Policies 23

2.4.3 Sierra Leone23

2.4.3.1 Undernutrition 23

2.4.3.2 Micronutrient malnutrition 24 

2.4.3.3 Key strategies 26

2.4.4 KENYA26

2.4.4.1 Deficiency in Kenya29

2.4.4.2 Direct nutrition interventions.                                                          29 

2.5 Strategies and Interventions Used in Mitigating Deficiencies Africa.  31

2.5.1 Supplementation            31

2.5.1.1 Pregnant women and lactating women        31

2.5.1.2 Children32

2.5.1.3 Vitamin A supplementation in children34

2.5.1.4 Iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy                         34

2.5.2 Fortification         35

2.5.2.1 Mass fortification 36

2.5.2.2 Fortification vehicle.   37

2.5.2.3 Fortificant    40

2.5.2.4 Home fortification.     40

2.5.3 Nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions42

2.5.4 Biofortification42

2.5.5 Local production of micronutrient rich foods through home gardens, livestock, and 

small fish44

 2.6 Economic Impact of Micronutrient Deficiencies   46

3.0 CONCLUSIONS   47

References  48