Uganda Demographic and Health Survey: The first population based survey to assess prevalence of vitamin A deficiency

Type Conference Paper - The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA
Title Uganda Demographic and Health Survey: The first population based survey to assess prevalence of vitamin A deficiency
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2002
City Philidelphia
Country/State USA
URL https://apha.confex.com/apha/130am/techprogram/paper_38403.htm
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been identified by World Health Organization (WHO) as a problem of public health importance in 78 countries. Moreover, many countries or regions may not realize that VAD is a problem since they do not have up-to-date national level assessments of prevalence of VAD. Some countries have carried out assessments using ocular indicators such as Bitot's spots. However, these ocular signs are associated with advanced stages of VAD. Women and children may have high risk of morbidity and mortality before ocular signs/problem are evident. Therefore, Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) analyzed prevalence of VAD through a nationally representative sample of women (15-49 years) and children (< 6years). Capillary blood was collected on a filter paper and analyzed for serum retinol using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that overall, 28 percent of children and more than half of women in Uganda have VAD. The level of VAD in children and women according to their background characteristics will be discussed in this presentation.

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