SUMMARY

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially

among pregnant, lactating women and children. Its availability in the body therefore plays a very

important role in the physiology of vision and immunity. The aim of this study is to determine

the factors affecting the uptake of vitamin A supplements among under-five children in Umuahia

North LGA of Abia State.

A cross-sectional approach was adopted in conducting this study among mothers/caregivers of

under five children in households in the study area who were administered interviewer

administered questionnaire meant to elicit Socio-demographic information of mother/caregiver,

Awareness of vitamin A supplementation of mothers/caregivers, Attitude of respondents on

Vitamin A supplementation, Acceptability of vitamin A supplement in the communities, and

Availability of Vitamin A Supplement in all the selected health centres in Umuahia North Local

Government Area (UNLGA).

A total of 400 respondents from different communities in Local Government were included in

the study. Similarly, Health Care Workers from the ten selected health facilities in the Local

Government were also included. The mean age of mothers was 31.5(SD=6.67) years that of their

children was 26.4 (SD= 14.6) months. Majority of the respondents were married women (92%).

About 48.3% had a tertiary education and were house workers or businesswomen 20.8%, 27.3%

respectfully. The coverage for vitamin A supplementation was 58.1% and it associated with

child‘s age and tribe (Odd= 13.44, p= 0.009), (Odd= 9.71, p= 0.008). The awareness and

knowledge scores indicated that awareness was slightly above average score while knowledge

was good on relevant information on vitamin A supplementation, causes of deficiency, signs and

symptoms of deficiency and measures of prevention of vitamin A deficiency respectively. The

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attitude scores also indicated an achievement of average result scores of the respondents‘

responses.

Vitamin A coverage in the study was similar though slightly below the national figure for Abia

State of 66% in 2013. The study recommended need for the government to make adequate

provision of vitamin A at all time in registered private and government health facilities within

the local government area and provide good training to healthcare professional.

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the Study

Micronutrients are nutrients required by the body in minute amount for proper body functions.1

Micronutrients which include vitamins and minerals play vital roles in body growth and

development, reproduction, brain functions and resistance to diseases among others. Vitamin A,

iron, iodine and recently zinc are the major micronutrients of public health importance especially

in developing country like Nigeria,2 this is because of the severity and seriousness of their

deficiencies and consequences on health, learning capacities and the productivity of affected

people. Micronutrient deficiencies increase morbidity and mortality rates not only in children

under-five years, pregnant and lactating mothers, who are more vulnerable but also to the general

populace including vibrant adolescents.3 It is generally known that the prevalence of malnutrition

and micronutrients deficiency increases rapidly in under-five children because of rapid growth

and development, therefore deficiency of these micronutrients inhibits the normal health, growth

and development of children under five years of age. Children may look healthy and their diets

may provide adequate energy and protein but are lacking in micronutrients. This is referred to as

―hidden hunger‖.

Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoid, including retinol, retinal esters, they are

stored in the liver. Two different types of vitamin A are found in the diet. Preformed vitamin A is

found in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy foods. The other type, pro-vitamin

A (commonest type) is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin A is also available in dietary supplements, usually in the form of retinyl acetate or

retinyl palmitate (preformed vitamin A), beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) or a combination of

preformed and pro-vitamin A.