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,  = 452) and children aged 6-59 months ( = 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.

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.

Mineral micronutrient status and spatial distribution among the Ethiopian population.

Multiple micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Ethiopia. However, the distribution of Se and Zn deficiency risks has previously shown evidence of spatially dependent variability, warranting the need to explore this aspect for wider micronutrients. Here, blood serum concentrations for Ca, Mg, Co, Cu and Mo were measured ( 3102) on samples from the Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey.

Review: mine tailings in an African tropical environment-mechanisms for the bioavailability of heavy metals in soils.

Heavy metals are of environmental significance due to their effect on human health and the ecosystem. One of the major exposure pathways of Heavy metals for humans is through food crops. It is postulated in the literature that when crops are grown in soils which have excessive concentrations of heavy metals, they may absorb elevated levels of these elements thereby endangering consumers.