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Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Investigating Physiological Functions of Vitamin A Transporters Using HPLC-Based Vitamin A Profiling
Published on: December 27, 2024
Hormonal contraceptive use and vitamin A deficiency among women in Tanzania
Zelalem T Haile1, Asli K Teweldeberhan2, Bhakti Chavan1
1Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin, OH, USA.
Objective:
To examine the association between hormonal contraceptive use and vitamin A deficiency among women in Tanzania.
Methods:
Secondary analysis of data from 8231 women who participated in the 2010 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed.
Results:
Overall, 1291 (weight percentage 17.8%) women reported a history of hormonal contraceptive use. The weighted prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 36.9% (n=3027). After adjustment for potential confounders, women with hormonal contraceptive use had lower odds of vitamin A deficiency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.94; P=0.009). There was a negative dose-response relationship between duration of hormonal contraceptive use and vitamin A deficiency. As compared with non-users, the odds of vitamin A deficiency decreased significantly among women who used hormonal contraceptives for 1-12 months (aOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.84; P=0.004) and more than 12 months (aOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15-0.46; P<0.001). Women with a history of using oral contraceptive pills had a lower odds of vitamin A deficiency versus non-users (aOR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37-0.65; P<0.001).
Conclusion:
In addition to contraceptive effectiveness, hormonal contraception use might have nutritional benefit in preventing vitamin A deficiency.
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