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East African Journal of Public Health
East African Public Health Association
ISSN: 0856-8960
Vol. 1, No. 1, 2004, pp. 1-5
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Bioline Code: lp04001
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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East African Journal of Public Health, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2004, pp. 1-5
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Health and Nutritional Status of Children in Western Kenya in Relation to Vitamin A Deficiency
Nabakwe, Esther C. & Ngare, Duncan K.
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 1998 among 300 children aged 1-3 years in Bungoma district of western Kenya. This is an area endemic for malaria with a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. In 1993 the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 37.8%. In the present study effects of vitamin A deficiency on health and growth of children were studied. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of the children had severe vitamin A deficiency 92% had anaemia, 76% had malaria parasitaemia and 21% were stunted. Anthropometric measures significantly correlated with haemoglobin concentration (P value <0.0001). There was significant difference in the retinol levels of the stunted and normal children (P value = 0.02). Retinol concentration differed significantly among children with high and low C-reactive protein (P = 0.0004). Vitamin A deficiency and anaemia are a public health problem among the children studied. High prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and anaemia was associated with impaired growth.
Keywords
Vitamin A, anaemia, malaria parasitaemia, acute phase proteins, young children
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© Copyright 2004 - East African Journal of Public Heath
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