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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
icddr,b
ISSN: 1606-0997 EISSN: 1606-0997
Vol. 27, No. 5, 2009, pp. 666-673
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Bioline Code: hn09066
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol. 27, No. 5, 2009, pp. 666-673
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Demographic and Health-related Risk Factors of Subclinical Vitamin A Deficiency in Ethiopia
Demissie, Tsegaye; Ali, Ahmed; Mekonnen, Yared; Haider, Jemal & Umeta, Melaku
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the demographic and health-related risk factors of subclinical vitamin
A deficiency in Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 996 children in 210 clusters across the
nation for analysis of serum retinol. Interviews were conducted with the respective mothers of the 996
children on presumed risk factors of vitamin A deficiency. A higher subclinical vitamin A deficiency was
associated with: not receiving vitamin A supplement over the year, having been ill during the two weeks
preceding the survey, no or incomplete vaccination, belonging to a mother with high parity, and low levels
of awareness of vitamin A. Moreover, being from Muslim household was strongly associated with higher
levels of subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Among the risk factors identified, low levels of vaccination, high
parity, and low levels of maternal awareness of vitamin A contributed to higher risks of vitamin A deficiency
among Muslim children. The findings underscore the need for creation of strengthened awareness of
family planning and importance of vitamin A, promotion of vaccination and child health, intensification
of vitamin A supplementation, and in-depth investigation on factors contributing to increased vulnerability
of Muslim children.
Keywords
Cross-sectional studies; Risk factors; Serum retinol; Vitamin A; Vitamin A deficiency; Xerophthalmia; Ethiopia
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