Effect of Routine Vitamin a Supplementation on Nutritional Status of Children Aged 6-59 Months in Wajir County, Kenya

Abstract

Malnutrition remains an important public health problem in Wajir County with stunted growths in the county reported to be 26.4%, which is similar to the national average of 26.0% as per the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2014. The high burden of malnutrition in the county is not only a risk to achieving Vision 2030 but is also likely to obstruct our progress to realise Sustainable Development Goals. Vitamin A deficiency is a key public health issue that contributes to illness and death among young children universally. Vitamin A supplementation is essential for growth, development, and survival of children, especially in resource poor areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and the South East. In circumstances where the deficiency of vitamin A is a community health matter, supplementation is recommended in children under five years. The outcome of Vitamin A routine supplementation on nutrition status of young children aged between 6 to 59 months in Wajir County was investigated. The routine coverage for under-fives was found to be 51.2%. Study findings also revealed the prevalence of stunting to be high at 63.4% among children who did not receive vitamin A supplementation as compared to those who were supplemented (36.6%). Further analysis indicated that there was substantial (0.036) association between the supplement and nutritional status of the target group. Therefore, there is need for creation of awareness to the care givers on the benefits of routine supplementation and likewise improve access to the supplement to all children aged 6-59 months.