Coverage and associated factors of vitamin-A supplementation among children aged 6-59 months in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: vitamin A is a nutrient required for normal visual system function, growth, and development. Periodic vitamin A supplementation is a cost-effective strategy for preventing vitamin A deficiency in children. This study aimed to assess the coverage and associated factors of vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6-59 months in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia 2022.

Methods: a community-based cross-sectional study with a multistage random sampling technique was done on 587 mothers with 6-59-month-old children from October 20 to November 10, 2022, in Gondar City. The descriptive statistics are summarized by frequency, percent, and summary statistics. Binary logistic regression was performed, and variables with a P-value <0.05 were considered significantly associated.

Results: the vitamin A supplementation coverage was 34.4% (95% CI (30.3% - 38.3%)). Children aged 6-13 months [AOR=9.50, 95% CI; (4.59-9.66)], 14-27 months [95% CI; (3.07-12.03)], mothers who had an education level of certificate or above [AOR=3.79, 95% CI; (1.45-9.90)], mothers who learned in secondary schools [AOR=3.29, 95% CI; (1.28-8.45)], mothers who had four or more antenatal care visits [AOR=4.32 (95% CI: (1.54-11.97) and mothers' good knowledge towards vitamin A [AOR: 2.20 (95% CI: 1.60-4.10)] showed a statistically significant association.

Conclusion: the coverage of vitamin A supplementation exceeded the 70% UNISAFE threshold. A younger child's age, maternal education level, more than 4 antenatal visits, and good knowledge of vitamin A were significant factors. Extended and more integrated immunization programs with robust health education regarding vitamin A supplementation would play a prodigious role in getting higher coverage.