Assessment of Women's Discretionary Salt Intake and Household Salt Utilization in Preparation for a Salt Fortification Trial in Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

There is a high incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Ethiopia and folate insufficiency, a primary risk factor for NTDs, is common among Ethiopian women of reproductive age (WRA). Folic acid fortification of salt has been proposed as a strategy to control these problems. In preparation for an intervention trial to assess the nutritional effects of folic acid-fortified salt, we measured discretionary salt intakes among nonpregnant WRA using observed weighed food records, and we assessed household salt disappearance rates.

Prevalence of iodine deficiency and associated factors among pregnant women in Ada district, Oromia region, Ethiopia: a cross- sectional study.

Background: Maternal iodine deficiency (ID) during pregnancy has been recognized as a major cause of abortion, stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, perinatal mortality and irreversible mental retardation. In Ethiopia limited information is available regarding the epidemiology of maternal ID. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency and associated factors among pregnant women in Ada district, Oromia region, Ethiopia.