Prevalence of Clinical Vitamin A Deficiency Among Primary School Children in Urban Slums of Ahmedabad: A Cross Sectional Study
Published: December 1, 2011 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2011/.1796
Naresh T. Chauhan, Trivedi Atul V., Khan Iqbal M., Talsania Niti J.
1. Assistant Professor, Community Medicine Department,
Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India
2. Assistant Professor, Community Medicine Department,
B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India
3. Assistant professor, Deptt. of community medicine,
Geetanjali medical college & Hospital Manwa Kheda,
NH-8 Byepass Udaipur, Rajasthan
4. Professor, Community Medicine Department,
B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India.
Correspondence
Naresh T. Chauhan,
Flat No 1, Shivganga Flats, Oppo. Bavlia Hanuman Temple,
Bhayanini wadi, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India - 364003.
Phone: +919904266004; Fax: +912782431866
E-mail - drnareshchauhan@rediffmail.com.
Background: Although there is a substantial documentation of prevalence, severity and health consequences of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in preschool-aged children, very few studies have been done to find out the extent of VAD in primary school children. Present study was carried out in school children (5-15 years age) from slum areas of Ahmedabad city to see the prevalence of xerophthalmia.
Aims: To clinically asses the prevalence of xerophthalmia among school going children in urban slums of Ahmedabad. To study the socio-demographic factors associated with VAD in urban slums.
Settings and Design: The present study was designed as a cross sectional study conducted in primary schools of urban slums in Ahmedabad from October 2007 to July 2008. Methods and Materials: 1000 children were randomly selected from 10 schools and examined with predesigned and pretested Performa. From each school 100 children were randomly selected from standard I-VII. Xerophthalmia was diagnosed if there was a history of night blindness, or on examination, there were signs of conjunctival xerosis, Bitot’s spots, corneal xerosis or keratomalacia.
Statistical Analysis: The collected information was analysed by using the Microsoft Excel and the Epi info 3.4 software. Chisquare test was used for analysis.
Results: In this study prevalence of VAD was found to be 2.9%. Prevalence of VAD among girls (4.1%) was significantly high than boys (1.9%). In present study 0.5% cases of night blindness, 1.4% cases of conjunctival xerosis and 2.1% cases of Bitot’s spot were found. Types of family, lower social class (class IV & V) and poor intakes of green vegetables were significantly associated with the vitamin A deficiency.
Conclusion: The observation of this study underlines the magnitude and severity of vitamin A deficiency in an age group that policy makers do not usually consider to be at risk in this respect.
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