scholarly journals Magnitude of Maternal Anaemia in Rural Burkina Faso: Contribution of Nutritional Factors and Infectious Diseases

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Nicolas Meda ◽  
Malik Coulibaly ◽  
Yacouba Nebie ◽  
Ibrahima Diallo ◽  
Yves Traore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health District ◽  
Maternal Anaemia

Background. Maternal anaemia is a worldwide public health problem affecting particularly developing countries. In Burkina Faso, little data is available for rural areas. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of maternal anaemia and the risk factors associated with it in the rural health district of Hounde in Burkina Faso but also to define better control measures of maternal anaemia.Methods. This cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 had a sample of 3,140 pregnant women attending antenatal care in all the 18 primary health care facilities of the district. The women’s characteristics and their knowledge about contraceptives and sexually transmitted infections (STI) were collected. Also, physical and gynaecological examination, completed by vaginal, cervix, blood, and stool samplings, were collected.Results. A prevalence of 63.1% was recorded for maternal anaemia. Geophagy rate was 16.3% and vitamin A deficiency 69.3%. In addition, anaemia was independently associated with low education, low brachial perimeter, geophagy, and primigravida. But no statically significant relationship was found between maternal anaemia and infectious diseases or vitamin A deficiency.Conclusion. The magnitude of maternal anaemia was found to be higher in rural Hounde health district and should be addressed by adequate policy including education and the fight against malnutrition.

scholarly journals Community Assessment of Availability, Consumption, and Cultural Acceptability of Food Sources of (PRO)Vitamin A: Toward the Development of a Dietary Intervention among Preschool Children in Rural Burkina Faso

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance P. Nana ◽  
Inge D. Brouwer ◽  
Noel-Marie Zagré ◽  
Frans J. Kok ◽  
Alfred S. Traoré
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables

Background Vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem in Burkina Faso and elsewhere in the developing world. Dietary diversification is a promising strategy that needs to be explored to strengthen the country's ongoing supplementation program. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify locally available and acceptable (pro)vitamin A–rich foods to be included in a dietary intervention addressing vitamin A deficiency in children aged six months to three years. Methods A food ethnographic study combining recall methods, observation, and focused group discussion was conducted in the dry and rainy seasons. Thirty-five mother–child pairs were randomly selected and included in the study. Results The dietary pattern of children was characterized by low diversity with extremely low energy and vitamin A intake in both seasons. The study identified the availability of numerous (pro)vitamin A–rich foods, but these foods are either not consumed or consumed by few in low amounts and/or in low frequencies. The main constraining factors identified are related to financial accessibility (for liver), seasonal availability (for egg, milk, mango, papaya, and green leafy vegetables), and beliefs related to consumption and preparation (for green leafy vegetables). However, the study also revealed that the study population associated all identified (pro)vitamin A–rich foods with positive attributes such as health, strength, and vitamin richness, which might offer an entry point for designing and implementing dietary interventions. Conclusions Based on the findings of this formative research, intervention strategies with mango and liver are proposed to improve the vitamin A intake and status of children in the rural areas of Burkina Faso.

scholarly journals SEANUTS: the nutritional status and dietary intakes of 0.5–12-year-old Thai children

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (S3) ◽  
pp. S36-S44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nipa Rojroongwasinkul ◽  
Kallaya Kijboonchoo ◽  
Wanphen Wimonpeerapattana ◽  
Sasiumphai Purttiponthanee ◽  
Uruwan Yamborisut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Serum Retinol

In the present study, we investigated nutritional status and health-related factors in a multistage cluster sample of 3119 Thai urban and rural children aged 0·5–12·9 years. In a subsample, blood samples were collected for the measurement of Hb, transferrin receptor, vitamin A and vitamin D concentrations. The prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural children than in urban children, whereas the wasting rate was similar in both rural and urban areas. Among children aged 3·0–5·9 years, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas and so was the obesity rate in children aged 6·0–12·9 years. Protein intakes of all age groups were relatively high in both the areas. Intakes of Ca, Fe, Zn and vitamin C were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The prevalence of anaemia in rural areas was twice as high as that in urban areas, particularly in infants and young children. However, the prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia was similar in both urban and rural areas. While the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 0·7 μmol/l) seemed to be very low, vitamin A insufficiency (by serum retinol cut-off < 1·05 μmol/l) was more prevalent (29·4–31·7 %) in both the areas. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency ranged between 27·7 and 45·6 % among the children. The present study indicates that the double burden of malnutrition is still a major public health problem in Thailand. Further studies need to explore the associated risk factors for these nutrient deficiencies. Effective strategies and actions are needed to tackle the nutritional problems in Thai children.

scholarly journals Vitamin A Deficiency among Rural Primary School Children, A still Neglected Group for Vitamin A Supplementation Strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustin Nawidimbasba ZEBA ◽  
Jean Fidèle Bationo ◽  
Olivier Ouahamin Sombié ◽  
Jeoffray Diendéré
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
School Children ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
High Dose

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is still a public health problem across the globe and also in Burkina Faso, especially for under-five-years-old children. Since less information is available about the prevalence of VAD among the primary school children, this study aimed to study this area. Methods: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of high dose of vitamin A (VA) and daily zinc versus high dose of VA and daily zinc placebo (6 days per week) during four months among the primary school children. Of the total number of 200 school children, 100 were allocated to two random groups. Participants’ gender, age, weight, and height were measured, a blood smear was performed for malaria diagnosis, stool samples were collected for intestine parasites’ assessment, and blood samples were collected for haemoglobin and serum retinol measurement. Results: Baseline data of 183 school children were analysed and the findings showed that 20.6% of the school children were underweight (23.2% in girls vs. 16.5% in boys; P = 0.043). Anemia affected 36.2%, 39% had Plasmodium Falciparum, and 37.6% had intestine parasites. Furthermore, VAD prevalence was 46.1% (51.0% in boys vs. 41.2% in girls; P = 0,072). Conclusion: Among primary school children in the Western part of Burkina Faso, VAD is not only higher than other regions of the country, but also twice the critical level and defined as a severe public health problem by WHO. This result calls for action among the primary school children and recalls the importance of taking strategies against VAD among under-five-year-old children.

scholarly journals Provision of Vitamin A Through Utilization of Local Food Materials in Rural Parts of Western Kenya

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (13) ◽  
pp. 02-16
Author(s):  
Kennedy Shiundu ◽  
◽  
S Oyie ◽  
M Kumbe ◽  
R Oniang'o
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

High prevalence and the negative consequences of the deficiencies resulting from inadequate intake of iron, iodine and vitamin A have resulted in focused global efforts to alleviate them. Vitamin A deficiency which has serious consequences can be prevented by consumption of vitamin A rich foods. This study was undertaken to determine the viability of locally available foods in providing vitamin A to the impoverished populations in rural areas of Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Butere-Mumias District of Western Province, Kenya from December 2003 to February 2004. The study compared the potential contribution of local foods to the provision of vitamin A, to the diets of children aged 12-71 months in the two divisions of Butere and Khwisero, as based on the Helen Keller International (HKI) method. Vitamin A rich foods consumed in the two study areas are dark green leafy vegetables, kales, papaya margarine, orange/yellow fleshed sweet potatoes, eggs and ripe mangoes. Butere and Khwisero divisions where the study was conducted are adjacent to each other. Butere division had an ongoing nutrition intervention project to promote African leafy vegetables, while Khwisero division did not. Of the 16 clusters surveyed, consumption of vitamin A was insufficient in the six of the eight communities in Butere, and three of the eight communities, in Khwisero. The frequency of consumption of vitamin A-rich foods in the study area fell below the threshold values of the HKI Method. Consumption of these foods was not regular as planting was done on an ad hoc basis especially in Khwisero division in areas which were not reached by the on-going campaign in the Butere division. Vitamin A deficiency was most likely a public health problem in the two divisions. This study recommends increased activities in the area to control vitamin A deficiency, prophylactic vitamin A supplementation and efforts to increase vitamin A consumption.

scholarly journals Refocusing vitamin A supplementation programmes to reach the most vulnerable

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. e001997
Author(s):  
Erin McLean ◽  
Rolf Klemm ◽  
Hamsa Subramaniam ◽  
Alison Greig
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Child Mortality ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
Programme Coverage

WHO recommends vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programmes for children 6–59 months where vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem. However, resources for VAS are falling short of current needs and programme coverage is suffering. The authors present the case for considering the options for shifting efforts and resources from a generalised approach, to prioritising resources to reach populations with continued high child mortality rates and high vitamin A deficiency prevalence to maximise child survival benefits . This includes evaluating where child mortality and/or vitamin A deficiency has dropped, as well as using under 5 mortality rates as a proxy for vitamin A deficiency, in the absence of recent data. The analysis supports that fewer countries may now need to prioritise VAS than in the year 2000, but that there are still a large number of countries that do. The authors also outline next steps for analysing options for improved targeting and cost-effectiveness of programmes. Focusing VAS resources to reach the most vulnerable is an efficient use of resources and will continue to promote young child survival.

Vitamin A deficiency among children younger than 5 y in India: an analysis of national data sets to reflect on the need for vitamin A supplementation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Bhanuprakash Reddy ◽  
Raghu Pullakhandam ◽  
Santu Ghosh ◽  
Naveen K Boiroju ◽  
Shalini Tattari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Indian Children ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
National Prevalence

ABSTRACT Background Biochemical vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is believed to be a serious public health problem (low serum retinol prevalence &gt;20%) in Indian children, justifying universal high-dose vitamin A supplementation (VAS). Objective To evaluate in Indian children younger than 5 y the risk of biochemical VAD from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey, as well as dietary vitamin A inadequacy and excess over the tolerable upper limit of intake (TUL) from national and subnational surveys, factoring in fortification and VAS. Methods Child serum retinol data, corrected for inflammation, were examined to evaluate national- and state-level prevalence of VAD. Simultaneously, dietary intakes from the National Sample Survey Office and the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau were examined for risk of dietary vitamin A deficiency against its average requirement (AR) derived for Indian children. Theoretical estimates of risk reduction with oil and milk vitamin A fortification were evaluated along with the risk of exceeding the TUL, as well as when combined with intake from VAS. Results The national prevalence of biochemical VAD measured in 9563 children was 15.7% (95% CI: 15.2%, 16.3%), and only 3 states had prevalence significantly &gt;20%. The AR of vitamin A was 198 and 191 µg/d for boys and girls; the risk of dietary inadequacy was ∼70%, which reduced to 25% with oil and milk fortification. Then, the risk of exceeding the TUL was 2% and 1% in 1- to 3-y-old and 4- to 5-y-old children, respectively, but when the VAS dose was added to this intake in a cumulative 6-mo framework, the risk of exceeding the TUL rose to 30% and 8%, respectively. Conclusion The national prevalence of VAD risk is below 20% in Indian children. Because there is risk of excess intake with food fortification and VAS, serious consideration should be given to a targeted approach in place of the universal VAS program in India.

scholarly journals Vitamin A Deficiency and the Lung

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquín Timoneda ◽  
Lucía Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Rosa Zaragozá ◽  
M. Marín ◽  
M. Cabezuelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cell Junction ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
Lung Physiology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation

Vitamin A (all-trans-retinol) is a fat-soluble micronutrient which together with its natural derivatives and synthetic analogues constitutes the group of retinoids. They are involved in a wide range of physiological processes such as embryonic development, vision, immunity and cellular differentiation and proliferation. Retinoic acid (RA) is the main active form of vitamin A and multiple genes respond to RA signalling through transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a remarkable public health problem. An adequate vitamin A intake is required in early lung development, alveolar formation, tissue maintenance and regeneration. In fact, chronic VAD has been associated with histopathological changes in the pulmonary epithelial lining that disrupt the normal lung physiology predisposing to severe tissue dysfunction and respiratory diseases. In addition, there are important alterations of the structure and composition of extracellular matrix with thickening of the alveolar basement membrane and ectopic deposition of collagen I. In this review, we show our recent findings on the modification of cell-junction proteins in VAD lungs, summarize up-to-date information related to the effects of chronic VAD in the impairment of lung physiology and pulmonary disease which represent a major global health problem and provide an overview of possible pathways involved.

scholarly journals National immunisation days and vitamin A distribution in Mali: has the vitamin A status of pre-school children improved?

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Schémann ◽  
A Banou ◽  
D Malvy ◽  
A Guindo ◽  
L Traore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
School Children ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
National Immunisation ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:The impact on vitamin A status of the distribution of vitamin A during national immunisation days (NIDs) has not been well established despite strong promotion by international agencies and donors. Using a pre–post design, the change in prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was examined in pre-school children in Mali.Design:Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Mopti region, the first in March 1997 before this strategy was adopted and the second in March 1999, four-and-a-half months after a mass distribution of vitamin A during NIDs.Subjects and setting:We compared the vitamin A status of children aged 12 to 66 months targeted in 1999 by NIDs with the status of children in the same age group in 1997. Infectious events of the previous two weeks were concurrently recorded. Within the 1999 sample, the status of recipient and non-recipient children was also compared.Results:In 1997, the prevalence of xerophthalmia (defined by the presence of night blindness and/or Bitot spots) was 6.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.1–9.2) and the modified retinol dose response (MRDR) test proved abnormal in 77.8% of 12–66-month-old children (95% CI 68.27–85.17). In 1999 this picture had improved significantly, both for xerophthalmia prevalence, 3.3% (95% CI 2.1–5.2), and abnormal MRDR test response, 63.1% (95% CI 54.25–71.23). The infectious morbidity rates between 1997 and 1999 tended to decrease. No significant improvement was found among children older than those targeted by NIDs. In 1999, children who received vitamin A had a lower risk for xerophthalmia (3.0% for recipients vs. 8.7% for non-recipients) and experienced fewer infectious events.Conclusions:The clinical and biological vitamin A status of pre-school children improved between 1997 and 1999. Mass distribution of vitamin A appears to reduce the occurrence of xerophthalmia and would seem to be associated with a decrease in other related illnesses. Vitamin A supplementation during NIDs should be given a high priority when vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem.

scholarly journals Use of biomarkers of sub-clinical infection, nutrition and neonatal maturity to interpret plasma retinol in Nigerian neonates

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delana A. Adelekan ◽  
Christine A. Northrop-Clewes ◽  
Joshua A. Owa ◽  
Adesola O. Oyedeji ◽  
Adedayo A. Owoeye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
World Health ◽  
Plasma Retinol

Using the World Health Organization criterion, the prevalence of sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency can be assessed using plasma retinol concentrations <0·7 μmol/l. However, plasma retinol can be depressed by infection; thus, the use of this criterion alone may overestimate deficiency. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of the acute-phase proteins (APP) α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), plasma carotenoids and anthropometric and gestational indices to interpret plasma retinol in the blood of 192 apparently healthy Nigerian neonates collected randomly during days 1–20 postpartum. The mean weight (2·64 kg) and length (0·458 m) of the neonates and plasma concentrations (geometric mean, μmol/l) of retinol (0·54), α-carotene (0·072), ß-carotene (0·076) and lutein (0·080) were low. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 72 %, indicating a severe public health problem. Babies who were of low birth weight (P<0·003) or premature and low birth weight (P<0·023) had significantly lower retinol concentrations than full-term normal weight babies. Thirty-two neonates had abnormal ACT and forty-four abnormal AGP concentrations. Positive correlations between retinol and ACT (r0·186,P=0·05) and AGP (r0·31,P=0·0001) during days 1–5 may be due to the increasing plasma retinol from maternal milk and a coincidental increasing capacity to synthesise APP. Subsequently, negative correlations between retinol and ACT (r−0·28,P=0·02) and AGP (r−0·29,P=0·018) from day 6 onwards reflected the continuing increase in plasma retinol, but no further increase in the APP. Overall, weight, ACT, lutein and age explained 30 % of the variance in retinol, but lutein was the most significant (r20·18,P<0·0001). Hence, the distribution of plasma retinol concentrations in this group of neonates was more strongly linked with nutrition (via the surrogate marker lutein) than infection.

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