Food and Nutrition Bulletin Volume 17, Number 3, 1996 (UNU Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 1996, 104 pages): Public health nutrition: Vitamin A deficiency and the prevalence of xerophthalmia in southern Rwanda: Abstract

Food and Nutrition Bulletin Volume 17, Number 3, 1996 (UNU Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 1996, 104 pages)

Public health nutrition

Vitamin A deficiency and the prevalence of xerophthalmia in southern Rwanda

		(introductory text...)
		Abstract
		Introduction
		Methods
		Results
		Discussion
		Conclusion
		Acknowledgements
		References

Abstract

To assess the importance of vitamin A deficiency, an epidemiological survey of the prevalence of xerophthalmia was conducted, and serum retinal levels, nutritional status, and dietary habits were measured in southern Rwanda in November and December 1987 Cluster sampling was used to identify 5,629 children under six years of age. Ophthalmological examination revealed 74 cases of Bitot's spots for a prevalence of 1.31% (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.69). Serum retinal levels <0.70 µmol/L were found in 21.3% of children. Both of these measures exceed levels considered by WHO/UNICEF to indicate a severe public health problem of vitamin A deficiency. The mean retinol levels for children with Bitot's spots, matched controls, and a representative sample of the population were 0.75 µmol/L (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.851, 0.95 µmol/L (95% CI, ass to 7.05), and 1.04 µmol/L (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.09), respectively. The interrelationships among serum retinol levels, nutritional status, food intake, and Bitot's spots are discussed.