Assessment of Vitamin A Supplementation Coverage and its Association with Childhood Illness in Boloso Sore Woreda; Welayta Zone; SNNP Region; Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Background: Vitamin A plays vital role in the physiology of vision and immunity. Globally quarters of a billion children are Vitamin A deficient. Vitamin A supplementation of children and mothers during postpartum period is a key strategy to avert the deficiency. However the effect of Vitamin A supplementation on incidence of childhood illnesses is controversial. Objective: To assess the effect of Vitamin A supplementation on the reduction of common childhood illnesses; and to measure the coverage of vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6-59 months and mothers during postpartum period. Methods: A retrospective cohort study which involves comparison between Vitamin A supplemented and nonsupplemented children was conducted in Feb 2008 in Boloso Sore Woreda; Wolayta Zone; SNNPR. A total of 1601 children aged 6-59 months were selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling technique. Results: Vitamin A supplementation coverage among children (6-59 months) was 83.1and among women (in postpartum period) who had given birth in the preceding 12 months of the survey was 13.2. In comparison with the corresponding level in 2005; the coverage in the area has increased significantly (P0.05). Most of the vitamin A supplementation coverage was achieved through Enhanced Outreach Strategy. Vitamin A supplementation status was not significantly associated with history of Fever [AORCI 0.89-1.77)]; Cough or rapid breathing/difficulty in breathing [AOR=1.15 (95CI 0.77-1.72)]; Eye infection [AOR=1.22 (95CI 0.78-1.89)]; and Diarrhea [AOR=0.98 (95CI 0.64-1.52)]. Recommendations: The effect of Vitamin A supplementation on reduction of childhood illnesses should be assessed through longitudinal studies among Vitamin A deficient children