Nutritional deficiencies of
trace elements are among the top ten causes of death in Sub Saharan Africa. In Kanam Local Government Area of Nigeria, the problem is compounded by high levels of poverty and illiteracy. Abnormally low hair
zinc levels are important, sensitive diagnostic biochemical indices of
Zinc deficiency. The purpose of this study is to assess the
zinc status of children less than 5 years in Kanam local government area, north-central Nigeria, by measuring the
zinc level in hair samples collected from 44 under-5 children across the area. A household survey was made to assess the pattern and frequency of consumption of
zinc-rich foods which was done by means of questionnaire. Hair samples were analysed for
zinc content by the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). The data were analysed statistically using the Student's t test, z test, and Pearson correlation, while questionnaire-captured data were analysed by simple arithmetic. The results of the analyses showed that the average hair
zinc level was 74.35 ± 48.05 μg/g. This was below the normal range of 130-140 μg/g, for children less than 5 years. Based on the results, 86.36% have hair
zinc level below the lower limit of the normal range of 130 μg/g. Between the gender, boys have higher hair
zinc content than girls. Data from the questionnaire showed that 53.45% of the population studied have poor/inadequate intake of
zinc-rich foods of animal origin, a dietary behaviour reported to predispose to
micronutrient deficiency, including
zinc.