Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics and prevalence of anaemia, low zinc and selenium status of the preschool children

Sex (male)

196/376

52.1

Ethnicity

 Black

154/365

42.2

 Brown

189/365

51.8

 White

22/365

6.0

Birth order (3rd or subsequent)

127/376

33.8

Socioeconomic status (extremely low)

182/376

48.4

Dietary supplements

 Vitamin A

204/376

54.3

 Iron syrup within 6 months

200/376

53.2

Helminth infection

58/325

17.8

De-worming treatment within 6 months

192/376

51.1

Anaemia

  < 5 years (Hb < 110 g/L)

11/319

3.4

  ≥ 5 years (Hb < 115 g/L)

3/40

7.5

Low Zn status (serum Zn < 9.9 μmol/L)

13/358

3.6

Low Se status (serum Se ≤ 0.82 μmol/L)

34/358

9.5