NCT05792241

Brief Summary

The overarching objective of this two-phase project is to assess the effects of fortifying iodized salt with folic acid on improving women's folate status and thereby reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs), which are highly prevalent in Ethiopia. The project will be conducted in two phases. The purpose of Phase 1, described herein, is to complete formative research in preparation for a community-based, randomized trial, which will be carried out in Phase 2. The objectives of Phase 1 are to: 1) assess the hematological condition and nutritional status with respect to folate, iodine, and other micronutrients among non-pregnant women of reproductive age (WRA) in the study communities, and 2) measure discretionary salt and dietary folate intakes of the women and their households.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
100

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2023

Shorter than P25 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 3, 2023

Completed
28 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 31, 2023

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 26, 2023

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 15, 2023

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

May 1, 2024

Completed
Last Updated

March 13, 2025

Status Verified

March 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

March 3, 2023

Last Update Submit

March 11, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

EthiopiaSalt fortification

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

  • Folate status

    Red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration using a microbiological assay

    one week

  • Iodine status

    24-hour urinary iodine excretion using the Sandell-Kolthoff color reaction

    four weeks

  • Discretionary salt intake

    In-home weighed record of dietary intake

    four weeks

  • Household salt utilization

    One-week difference in weight of salt provided by study team

    six weeks

Study Arms (1)

Women of reproductive age

Randomly selected women of reproductive age in study communities.

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 49 Years
Sexfemale
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)
Sampling MethodProbability Sample
Study Population

The study will be conducted in the central highlands of Oromia region in Ethiopia, approximately 2 hours from the capital Addis Ababa.

You may qualify if:

  • Non-pregnant women 18-49 years of age
  • Agree to use salt provided by the study team for the household salt disappearance study
  • Provide written, informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Currently pregnant
  • Presence of acute or chronic disease (such as diarrhea, febrile illness, or underlying metabolic disorder) that might affect the participant's dietary intake or folate status
  • Currently using medicines (like anticonvulsants and cancer treatments) that affect folate metabolism
  • Medically prescribed restriction of salt intake

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Agbemafle I, Woldeyohannes M, Tessema M, Fereja M, Arnold CD, Banjaw BT, Hussen A, Kebebe T, Goh YE, Arabi M, Martinez H, McDonald CM, Brown KH. Assessment of Women's Discretionary Salt Intake and Household Salt Utilization in Preparation for a Salt Fortification Trial in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Matern Child Nutr. 2025 Apr;21(2):e13768. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13768. Epub 2024 Dec 13.

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Samples of whole blood, serum, and 24-hour urine excretion will be collected.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Folic Acid DeficiencyAnemia, Macrocytic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vitamin B DeficiencyAvitaminosisDeficiency DiseasesMalnutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic DiseasesAnemiaHematologic DiseasesHemic and Lymphatic Diseases

Study Officials

  • Kenneth H Brown, MD

    University of California, Davis

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
OTHER
Time Perspective
CROSS SECTIONAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 3, 2023

First Posted

March 31, 2023

Study Start

June 26, 2023

Primary Completion

August 15, 2023

Study Completion

May 1, 2024

Last Updated

March 13, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Two years after completion of the data collection, the individual participant data (IPD) data sets will become publicly available to other investigators who have specific research questions that can be addressed by the data and that are not already under analysis by the core research team. Researchers who desire to have access to the clinical specimens will be requested to apply for the specimens and to describe the research question(s) they plan to address.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR
Time Frame
The study protocol will be submitted for publication prior to initiation of Phase 2. The statistical analysis plans for Phases 1 and 2 will be publicly available prior to the start of the respective analyses. The informed consent documents will be available (in English and Afaan Oromo) after approval by the respective institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI). The clinical study report will become available once accepted for publication.
Access Criteria
As indicated above.

Locations