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RCT_Vit A+Iron (1)_merged

Overview of Vitamin A Supplementation Studies

Introduction

  • Vitamin A deficiency is linked to increased morbidity and mortality from respiratory and enteric infections.

  • Studies showed:

    • Preschool children with vitamin A deficiency had higher risks of respiratory infections and diarrhea.

    • Vitamin A supplements can significantly reduce mortality rates in children with marginal deficiency.

  • This study analyzes the effect of vitamin A supplementation on morbidity among children.

Methods

  • Location: Aceh province, Indonesia.

  • Participants: 450 villages, divided into:

    • Treatment Group: 229 villages with 15,101 children receiving vitamin A.

    • Control Group: 221 villages with 13,760 children.

  • Data Collection:

    • Baseline survey (1982-1983) assessed cough, fever, diarrhea, and xerophthalmia.

    • Follow-up survey (9-13 months later) re-examined children's health.

    • Socioeconomic data were also collected.

Results

Baseline Comparison

  • Both groups showed comparable baseline health indicators.

  • No significant differences in demographics that could impact morbidity.

Post-Intervention Findings

  • Unexpected reduction in prevalence of cough, fever, and diarrhea post-intervention in both groups.

  • Prevalence rates after vitamin A intervention:

    • Cough: Treatment group 17.0% vs. Control group 18.6%.

    • Fever: Treatment group 25.0% vs. Control group 26.7%.

    • Diarrhea: Treatment group 4.0% vs. Control group 4.5%.

  • All differences found were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).

Discussion Points

  • Major reduction in mortality but not in morbidity suggests:

    • Vitamins may influence disease outcomes in severe cases rather than reduce symptoms in all cases.

    • Socioenvironmental factors play a significant role in infection rates.

  • Current findings indicate that large-dose vitamin A supplementation alone is insufficient to quickly impact respiratory and enteric morbidity.

Acknowledgements

  • Supported by multiple organizations including USAID and UNICEF.

  • Contributions from various researchers noted.

Conclusions

  • Vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on reducing symptoms of respiratory or enteric infections in this study despite previous findings of reduced mortality.

  • Further research required to clarify these relationships and investigate other contributing factors.