Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

24.6K

Vitamin-A deficiency and its determinants among preschool children: a community based cross-sectional study in

Amare Tariku1, Abel Fekadu2, Ayanaw Tsega Ferede3

  • 1Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. amaretariku15@yahoo.com.

BMC Research Notes
|June 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health issue in Ethiopia, affecting preschool children. Non-attendance at antenatal care, male gender, and older age were linked to higher deficiency rates.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness and contributes to child mortality.
  • Ethiopia faces a significant public health challenge due to vitamin A deficiency, with limited existing literature.
  • This study aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of vitamin A deficiency in preschool children in Dembia District, northwest Ethiopia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in preschool children.
  • To identify factors associated with vitamin A deficiency in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2015 in Dembia District.
  • A multi-stage and systematic sampling technique was used to recruit 681 preschool children.
  • Data were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires, and multivariable logistic regression identified significant factors (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of xerophthalmia was 8.6% among the studied preschool children.
  • Factors significantly associated with vitamin A deficiency included non-attendance at antenatal care (AOR 2.65), being male (AOR 1.81), and age group 49-59 months (AOR 3.00).

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin A deficiency represents a severe public health problem in the Dembia District.
  • Strengthening antenatal care services and focusing on preschool children are crucial for mitigating vitamin A deficiency.
Abstract

Keywords:
DeterminantsEthiopiaPreschool childrenXerophthalmia

Related Concept Videos

Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced...
2.8K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
647
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
4.5K
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
10.6K
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children...
1.1K
Pedigree Analysis01:35

Pedigree Analysis

Overview
90.5K