Abstract
BackgroundVitamin A and D are essential for the proper growth and development of a child. Due to the complex political circumstances in the state of Palestine, research on micronutrient deficiency is scarce.MethodsThe Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) and UNICEF conducted a national cross-sectional survey in 2013 after the implementation of various micronutrient supplementation and fortification programs. Risk factors for levels of vitamin A (n = 1054) and vitamin D (n = 150) were assessed among children aged 6 to 59 months using chi-square tests and logistic regression with each of the outcome variables, vitamin A and D deficiencies. A child was considered to be deficient in vitamin A and D if he/she had a serum level < 1.05 μmol/L and < 50 nmol/L respectively. Multiple logistic regression models were developed to identify independent risk factors for vitamin deficiencies.ResultsThe prevalence of vitamin A and D deficiency was 73.1% and 60.7% respectively. Children in Gaza were 1.34 (95%CI 0.78–2.31) and 1.96 times (95%CI 0.67–5.71) more likely to be deficient in vitamin A and D respectively compared to children in the West Bank. Anaemic children were 1.5 times more likely to be deficient in vitamin A (95%CI 1.08–2.10). Older children (> 1 year-old) were more likely to be deficient in vitamin D, and females were 2.72 times more likely to be deficient than males (95%CI 1.21–6.01). Results suggest no association between maternal education levels, feeding practices such as breastfeeding and complementary feeding and vitamin A and D deficiency. Although not reaching conventional levels of statistical significance, it was observed that children who received their vitamin drops from the MOH were more likely to have vitamin A and D deficiencies than those children receiving the supplements from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).ConclusionsUsing these results, the MOH may consider specifically targeting at risk children to increase adherence to the full supplementation regimen. Further research into effective methods of service delivery by health service providers is needed including an in depth look at the UNRWA maternal counselling and supplement provision protocols.
Highlights
Vitamin A and D are essential for the proper growth and development of a child
While there was no trend detected in age nor differences between the genders, there was a strong association found between higher levels of maternal education and lower levels of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children
Confidence intervals were very wide, children in the Bedouin camps were over five times more likely to have VAD than children living in cities
Summary
Due to the complex political circumstances in the state of Palestine, research on micronutrient deficiency is scarce. Due to the complex political and economic situation, the population of the State of Palestine may be vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies. The poverty rate varies dramatically within the country’s two main regions: the West Bank (17.8%) and the Gaza Strip (38.8%) [1]. There are four primary health providers that try to implement care in these precarious political circumstances: MOH, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and private providers. High poverty rates combined with political tensions make provision and coordination of health care by the MOH very difficult. It is critical to assess and monitor progress of state-wide programs and examine any differences in service provision between various regions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
