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https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/58115
VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN CHILDREN AGED 12–59 MONTHS LIVING IN POOREST MUNICIPALITIES IN THE SOUTH REGION OF BRAZIL
Author
Affilliation
Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre. Nutrition Research Group. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre. Nutrition Research Group. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Brazilian Ministry of Health. Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Brazilian Ministry of Health. Brasília, DF, Brazil.
University of Brasília. Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Federal University of Paraná. Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Federal University of Paraná. Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Federal University of Santa Catarina. Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre. Nutrition Research Group. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre. Nutrition Research Group. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Brazilian Ministry of Health. Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Brazilian Ministry of Health. Brasília, DF, Brazil.
University of Brasília. Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Federal University of Paraná. Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Federal University of Paraná. Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Federal University of Santa Catarina. Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre. Nutrition Research Group. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Abstract
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children
and associated risk factors.
Design: Analysis of data from a cross-sectional multicentre study performed in the
primary care units of the municipalities from January to June 2015. The children’s
legal guardians answered a socio-economic questionnaire, and the children’s
blood samples were obtained by venipuncture. Plasma retinol was determined
by HPLC. Plasma retinol values of <0·70 μmol/l were considered VDA. Poisson
multiple regression with robust variance was used. Values of P < 0·05 were considered significant. The data were analysed in the SPSS software, 21.0.
Setting: Forty-eight poorest municipalities in the South Region of Brazil.
Participants: Children (n 1503) aged 12–59 months.
Results: The prevalence of VAD in the sample was 1·9 % (95 % CI (0·5, 6·8)). The
following risk factors were associated with the outcome in the final explanatory
model: family received Bolsa Familia program benefits (PR = 3·19; 95 % CI
(1·69, 6·02)), child was not being breastfed (PR = 5·22; 95 % CI (1·68, 16·18))
and stunting (PR = 4·75; 95 % CI (2·10, 10·73)).
Conclusions: VAD did not represent a public health problem for children living in
socio-economically vulnerable municipalities in the South Region of Brazil, suggesting a new panorama of this nutritional deficiency even in regions of low
socio-economic conditions in these three states. Thus, in view of the current nutritional transition scenario, it is necessary to continuously monitor and improve public policies related to vitamin A supplementation in the country.
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