Serum Zinc Levels Amongst Tribal Population in a District of Jharkhand State, India: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Nutritional deficiency of zinc is widespreadin developing countries. India has the second largestconcentration of tribal population after that of Africancontinent. Limited data is available on the serum zinclevels amongst tribal population in India.The objective of this study is to assess the status ofserum zinc amongst tribal population in a district ofJharkhand State, India.Method: The study was conducted amongst tribals inthe age group of 18-75 years residing in districtSahibganj, Jharkhand. Two blocks in the district wereselected for the detailed study keeping in view theoperational feasibility. A semi-structured pre-testedquestionnaire was utilized to collect information abouttheir age, sex and other socio demographic details. Atotal of 944 subjects were enrolled for the present study.Serum zinc was determined by the standard atomicabsorption spectrophotometry method.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 34 years.The mean serum zinc concentration of the studysubjects was 70.68 ± 26.71 µg/dl. Fifty three percent ofthe study subjects had zinc deficiency (serum zinc<70 µg/dl). The deficiency was higher in females (61.3%)as compared to the males (38.7%).Conclusion: The results of the present studydocumented a high prevalence of zinc deficiencyamongst tribal population.Key words: Zinc nutriture, tribals, zinc deficiency, dietaryintake