Uptake of routine vitamin A supplementation for children in Humbo district, Southern Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn low- and middle-income countries routine vitamin A supplementation (VAS) is a key strategy for reducing vitamin A deficiency and mortality and morbidity of preschool children. However, in Ethiopia, there is paucity of evidence regarding the level and determinants of the uptake of the supplement. This study was designed to assess the coverage and predictors of VAS among preschool children in Humbo district, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2016. A total of 840 mothers/caregivers having children 6-59 months of age were selected using multistage cluster sampling technique from six rural villages implementing routine VAS program. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Possible predictors considered in the study include distance from the nearby health facility, household socio-economic status, type of the household (model vs non-model), maternal access to health education on VAS, and knowledge on vitamin A and VAS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of uptake of VAS. The outputs are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe coverage of VAS was 75.0% (95% CI: 72.1-77.9). Better knowledge of mothers about the importance of the supplement (AOR: 1.49, 1.02-2.17), obtaining VAS related information from frontline community health workers (AOR: 1.51, 1.34-2.72) than health professionals and being from households in the “rich” wealth tertile (AOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.07-3.03) were positively associated with uptake VAS.ConclusionThe VAS coverage of the area was approaching the expected national target of 80%. However, the uptake can be enhanced though awareness creation and improving socio-economic status of the community.

Trends in inequality in the coverage of vitamin A supplementation among children 6–59 months of age over two decades in Ethiopia: Evidence from demographic and health surveys

“…1 Higher uptake of VAS among children from the wealthier households might partly be due to the fact that better economic status increases healthcare seeking behaviors and access to health information. 53…”

Vitamin A deficiency manifested as conjunctival hyperemia due to a limited food repertoire

“…In addition, it is one of the most common causes of blindness in childhood and is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality of infections in children 2 . In many developing countries, especially in Africa and South‐East Asia, VAD has moderate or severe public health significance 3 . However, in developed countries, like Japan, VAD is rare.…”