VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY IN BRAZILIAN CHILDREN AND ASSOCIATED VARIABLES

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Child Health

Background:

• Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a significant public health concern in developing nations, impacting child morbidity and mortality.
• Understanding the determinants of VAD is crucial for designing effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze variables associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in Brazilian children aged 6-59 months.
• To apply a hierarchical model to understand the determination of VAD based on community, immediate environment, and individual factors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2006 National Survey on Demography and Health of Women and Children (n=3,417).
• Employed univariate and multiple Poisson regression analyses within a hierarchical framework.
• Defined VAD as serum retinol <0.7 mol/L; considered socioeconomic, maternal, food consumption, and child biological variables.

Main Results:

• Living in Southeast and Northeast regions and urban areas were associated with higher VAD prevalence.
• Maternal age of 36 years or older significantly increased VAD risk.
• Consumption of meat at least once weekly was a protective factor against VAD.

Conclusions:

• Factors related to societal structural processes and the child's immediate environment are key determinants of VAD in Brazil.
• Individual biological characteristics were not significantly associated with VAD after adjustment.
• Targeting socioeconomic and environmental factors is essential for VAD prevention strategies.