Magnitude and Distribution of Vitamin A Deficiency in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Several surveys conducted over a period of 40 years have shown that vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. To address the problem effectively, up-to-date, comprehensive information on the magnitude and distribution of vitamin A deficiency is needed. OBJECTIVE: A national vitamin A survey was conducted to assess the national and regional prevalence rates of vitamin A deficiency in Ethiopia. METHODS: The survey employed a multistage, cluster-sampling approach and a cross-sectional study design. A total of 23,148 children aged 6 to 71 months and their respective mothers were examined for clinical signs and symptoms, and blood samples were collected from 1200 systematically selected children for serum retinol analysis. RESULTS: The findings indicated national prevalence rates of 1.7% for Bitot's spots among children. 0.8% for night-blindness among children, and 1.8% for night-blindness among mothers. Nationally, 37.7% of children (95% CI, 35.6% to 39.9%) had deficient serum retinol levels, 50.7% had been sick in the previous 15 days, and 22.6% had received vitamin A supplements in the previous 6 months. The prevalence of clinical vitamin A deficiency was significantly (p < .05) higher among children who were male, older, or rural residents. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed that vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem in Ethiopia. Intensification of the ongoing vitamin A supplementation program, postpartum vitamin A supplementation for mothers, intensifying efforts to improve the health status of preschool age children, and promotion of production and consumption of fruits and vegetables are recommended.