El Sayed, N., Abou Zeid, H., Ismail, H., Nofal, L., Mahfouz, A., Gad, A. (1999). Assessment of Vitamin A Deficiency [VAD] among Preschool Children in Alexandria Governorate:A Community-Based Study. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 29(3), 389-398. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.340190
Nawal El Sayed; Hamdy Abou Zeid; Hanaa Ismail; Laila Nofal; Ahmed Mahfouz; Ashry Gad. "Assessment of Vitamin A Deficiency [VAD] among Preschool Children in Alexandria Governorate:A Community-Based Study". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 29, 3, 1999, 389-398. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.340190
El Sayed, N., Abou Zeid, H., Ismail, H., Nofal, L., Mahfouz, A., Gad, A. (1999). 'Assessment of Vitamin A Deficiency [VAD] among Preschool Children in Alexandria Governorate:A Community-Based Study', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 29(3), pp. 389-398. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.340190
El Sayed, N., Abou Zeid, H., Ismail, H., Nofal, L., Mahfouz, A., Gad, A. Assessment of Vitamin A Deficiency [VAD] among Preschool Children in Alexandria Governorate:A Community-Based Study. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 1999; 29(3): 389-398. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.1999.340190
Assessment of Vitamin A Deficiency [VAD] among Preschool Children in Alexandria Governorate:A Community-Based Study
1Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
2Family health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
3Epidemiology Department. High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
4Biostatistic Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
The present community-based study was done to assess the status of vitamin A deficiency [VAD] in Alexandria governorate and to highlight the magnitude of the problem in squatter and non-squatter areas of the governorate. The study was conducted on preschool children aged 6-71 months. The two stage cluster sampling technique was used to choose the sample of the study. The actual sample size was 1217 child [920 from 30 clusters of non squattered Alexandria and 297 from 10 clusters of squatters]. Data were collected from each child on socio-demographic characteristics, morbidity profile and breast feeding pattern. Serum retinol level was determined for 1040 child. VAD was diagnosed according to the cut-off points of WHO. Main findings revealed that VAD was prevalent among 9.3% of the studied sample. It is more prevalent in squatters [13.3%], rural areas [15.8%] and among males [10.0%]. Simple logistic regression analysis showed that children from squatters and in rural areas had 1.76 and 2.25 times the risk of VAD than children from non-squatters and those residing in urban areas respectively. Also better environmental conditions were associated with a low risk of VAD. A set of integrated strategic actions were recommended focusing on targeted vitamin A supplementation, dietary modification, food fortification and some general public health measures.
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