Table 4 Predictors of zinc deficiency among NPW aged 15–49 years, Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey, Nepal, 2016.

From: Serum zinc status is a matter of concern among children and non-pregnant women in a nationwide survey of Nepal

Potential predictors

Unadjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)

P

Age group, (%)

15–29 years

1

1

 

30–49 years

1.36 (1.05, 1.76)

1.22 (0.90, 1.67)

0.201

Household wealth quintile, (%)

Poorest

1

1

 

Poorer

0.79 (0.55, 1.14)

0.78 (0.54, 1.15)

0.209

Middle

0.64 (0.44, 0.93)

0.64 (0.44, 0.94)

0.021

Richer

0.53 (0.35, 0.79)

0.51 (0.33, 0.80)

0.003

Richest

0.64 (0.43, 0.96)

0.62 (0.40, 0.94)

0.026

Level of education, (%)

Never attended school

1

1

 

Primary

0.81 (0.52, 1.25)

0.80 (0.52, 1.24)

0.322

Some secondary

0.73 (0.55, 0.97)

0.89 (0.63, 1.27)

0.528

Higher

0.60 (0.41, 0.89)

0.80 (0.51, 1.24)

0.311

Body Mass Index, (%)

Underweight

1.56 (1.11, 2.19)

1.55 (1.12, 2.15)

0.009

Normal weight

1

1

 

Overweight/Obese

1.45 (0.92, 2.29)

1.44 (0.92, 2.33)

0.126

Fever in a two-week recall, (%)

No

1

1

 

Yes

1.48 (1.08, 2.03)

1.43 (1.04, 1.98)

0.030

Helicobacter pylori, (%)

No

1

1

 

Yes

1.34 (1.05, 1.71)

1.33 (1.04, 1.71)

0.025

Serum sTfR (mg/L)a

1.03 (1.00, 1.05)

1.03 (1.00, 1.06)

0.036

Risk of folate deficiencyb (%)

No

1

1

 

Yes

0.61 (0.38, 0.98)

0.58 (0.36, 0.94)

0.026

Prevalence of CRP > 5 mg/L or AGP > 1 g/L

No

1

1

 

Yes

1.81 (1.21, 2.71)

1.74 (1.15, 2.63)

0.010

  1. Estimates are unadjusted odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals from logistic regression models, accounting for weighting and complex sampling design.
  2. aBiomarker was regression-adjusted to a pooled country reference to adjust for inflammation, using CRP and AGP (ferritin) or AGP only40.
  3. bFolate cut off based on the risk of megaloblastic anemia defined as RBC folate < 305.0 nmol/L41.
Back to article page