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Grand Challenges Canada

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Using eggshell calcium to mitigate fluorosis in Ethiopia

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Start Date: 01/07/2017- End Date: 31/12/2018


Project Lead(s): Susan Whiting

Issue

Fluorosis is a major health problem in the Rift Valley region of Ethiopia. Fluorosis symptoms include GI discomfort, muscle weakness, and joint stiffness and pain.

The risk of Fluorosis may be reduced by adequate calcium intake, however the dietary intake of calcium is quite low in Ethiopia.

Compounding the issue of fluorosis is the high rate of wasting and stunting among children across the nation. It has been suggested that eating one egg per day would significantly improve the nutritional status of kids.

Solution

The project aimed to decrease the rate of fluorosis in Ethiopia by providing women of child-bearing age with cleaned and powdered eggshell to increase their calcium intake.

39 women in the Halaba region received 1000 mg of calcium per day for 6 months, while 39 women were controls. Both areas had high fluoride exposure, with baseline urinary fluoride was 10.2 mg/L, well over the World Health Organization limit of 1.5 mg/L. 

143 families within the intervention area were gifted 2 chickens as well as cages to protect children and prevent fecal matter contamination. A similar number of families in another village were set as a control group.

The project evaluated the signs of fluorosis in women and the growth status of children.

Outcome

The study found both women and children in the intervention groups improved their health and nutritional status.

Women in the target group exhibited fewer symptoms of fluorosis, reporting less GI problems, less muscle weakness and a decrease in joint stiffness and pain.

Children improved their nutritional status by consistently consuming eggs. Children in the intervention group had lower rates of anemia than the control group. The study also found a reduction in the percentage of underweight and stunted children in the intervention group.

Image Gallery

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  • Mother with chickens - Photo credit - Anteneh Omer
  • Explaining care of chickens - Photo credit - Anteneh Omer

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  • Innovation Overview
    Program

    Stars in Global Health

    Institution

    University of Saskatchewan

    Institution Country

    Canada

    Implementation Country

    Ethiopia

    Implementation Region

    Sub-Saharan Africa

    Priority

    Food and Nutrition, Food supplementation, Non-communicable Diseases, Physical Disability

    Platform

    Non-health provider training, Nutrition

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