ISSN: 2155-9600
+32 25889658
Mary Anyango Oyunga, David Okeyo Omondi and Fredrick Kobina Ebo Grant
Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, Kenya
Maseno University, Kenya
International Potato Center, Tanzania
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
Statement of the Problem: Kenya loses 121,000 DALYs annually that is attributable to vitamin A deficiency (VAD). This
amounts to, between 0.5% and 1% of the gross national product, yearly. According to 1999 Kenya micronutrient survey, 76%
of children had VAD making Kenya one of the countries with low serum levels according to the World Health Organization
(WHO) and by 2008, the VAD prevalence had raised to 84%. This paper examined community awareness of existence, signs and
symptoms, causes, control of VAD as well as attitudes, so as to identify knowledge gaps among health workers and caretakers/
mothers.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: This was a community-based study within the catchment areas served by health
facilities offering antenatal care services in Western Kenya. The study adopted cross-sectional design and purposive sampling
techniques. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with pregnant and lactating mothers and eight key
informant interviews with those in charge of health facilities until saturation. Data was audio recorded, transcribed, coded and
thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti version 6 software.
Findings: Most respondents stated having heard about VA/VAD but very few had the correct knowledge of signs and symptoms,
causes and control of VAD. Their attitude towards VAD and its control were generally indifferent with a general belief that they
had no control over their circumstances to reduce VAD.
Conclusion & Significance: Although VAD was prevalent in the study area, majority of the people in the community had low
awareness. This study, therefore, stresses the need for health education to raise community�??s awareness on VAD in such settings
in order to augment prevention, control and elimination efforts.
E-mail: oyungam2010@gmail.com