Prevalence and determinants of Vitamin A deficiency among children in India: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey
Sampurna Kundu, Balram Rai, Anandi Shukla
Abstract
BackgroundVitamin A deficiency is major concern especially for the children living in developing countries. According to UNICEF around one third of the children are not receiving the supplementation of Vitamin A they need.AimThe present study focuses on Vitamin A deficiency among the children aged 12–59 months in India by analysing the data from the latest nutritional survey.MethodsThe Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), conducted during 2016–18, dataset for 0–5 years age has been used in the study. The study has employed bi-variate analysis to assess the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) based on the CRP (C-reactive protein) values (CRP ≤5 mg/L), by the different socio-economic and demographic characteristics along with dietary diversity, stunting, anaemia and breastfeeding related variables. Log-binomial regression model has been used for the multivariable analysis and based on that predicted probabilities were computed.ResultsThe overall prevalence of VAD in India is 17.54%. Children who are exposed to longer duration of breastfeeding have lower prevalence of VAD. Children in poorer economic sections are more vitamin A deficient compared to children in richer economic sections. The prevalence of VAD among children having minimum diet diversity is 18.63%.ConclusionThe study suggests in focusing on the targeted groups of children who are at more risk in developing VAD and planning interventions for specific groups. The nutrition programs require a multisectoral approach for addressing the needs of macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies simultaneously to enhance the current situation of nutrition among children in India.