This study is a nationally and sub-nationally (regionally) representative cross-sectional survey that will characterize dietary intake, micronutrient status and access to nutrition-related services for different target populations. Given that soil nutrient content can influence micronutrient content of foods and hence affect nutrient intake, the soil nutrient composition will also be analyzed.
The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Ethiopia is very high relative to other countries. One of the best known and most important causes of these devastating abnormalities is maternal folate insufficiency during the early weeks of pregnancy. This project will assess the effects of fortifying iodized salt with folic acid to improve women’s folate status and thereby reduce the risk of NTDs. Among the proposed activities, salt fortification may be considered as an alternative to wheat flour fortification; but there was no available evidence on the acceptability, effectiveness, and safety of salt fortification with folic acid. The document further indicated a need to generate evidence on the acceptability and nutritional impact of salt fortification before considering a national folic acid salt fortification program. The current project is designed to fill this information gap on the effects of folic acid fortification of salt.