Abstract

FR.13.13

The impact of vitamin A capsule supplementation on vitamin A deficiency status in pre-school children

Tilahun Y.
Department of Ophthalmology, Addis Abeba University

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in developing countries, particularly in south-east Asian and Africans. Recent data on the prevalence of VAD after mass Vit- A capsules supplementation to under five children is limited.
Purpose: The Purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of vitamin A capsule Supplementation in the reduction of VAD in preschool children in Dodota-sire district, Arsi Zone, Southeast Ethiopia.
Patient and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between October 15 & December 14/2005.0ut of 31 Kebeles(local village) in Dodota-sire district, 10 kebeles were selected by simple random sampling and then 10 villages (one village from each Kebele) were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method and 45 children aged between six months and six years from each selected village, those who have got at least one dose of Vit A capsule during the past NIDS-define NIDS time were included in the study, & evaluated for symptoms & signs of VAD. The previous prevalence of Bitot’s spots, which was done 10 years back, was 26.5%. From 1999 up to 2005, children aged between 6 –24 months took one dose of VitA capsule, 25-48 months aged children took three doses, 49-65 months aged children took five doses and 66-72 months aged children took 6 doses of Vit A capsules.
Results: Among a total of four hundreds and fifty two children evaluated for symptoms and signs of VAD, Night blindness were observed in four children (0.9%), Bitot’s spots were found in six children (1.3%), corneal scar were found in two children (0.4%) and no single case of corneal ulcer seen in the study population.
Conclusion and recommendation: When compared to the previous prevalence of VAD by bitot’s spots, there is a marked reduction in prevalence from 26.5% to 1.3%. However, Vitamin A deficiency in pre-school children in Dodota-sire district is still a major public health problem with Bitot’s spots of 1.3% indicating that there is a need to continue Vitamin A capsule supplementation to preschool children during the NIDS time. This study shows that vitamin A capsule supplementation alone in areas with chronic and recurrent draught significantly reduces vitamin A deficiency.

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