Prevalence and determinants of Vitamin A deficiency among children in India: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is major concern especially for the children living in developing countries. According to UNICEF around one third of the children are not receiving the supplementation of Vitamin A they need. Aim: The present study focuses on Vitamin A deficiency among the children aged 12–59 months in India by analysing the data from the latest nutritional survey. Methods: The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), conducted during 2016–18, dataset for 0–5 years age has been used in the study. The study has employed bi-variate analysis to assess the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) based on the CRP (C-reactive protein) values (CRP ≤5 mg/L), by the different socio-economic and demographic characteristics along with dietary diversity, stunting, anaemia and breastfeeding related variables. Log-binomial regression model has been used for the multivariable analysis and based on that predicted probabilities were computed. Results: The overall prevalence of VAD in India is 17.54%. Children who are exposed to longer duration of breastfeeding have lower prevalence of VAD. Children in poorer economic sections are more vitamin A deficient compared to children in richer economic sections. The prevalence of VAD among children having minimum diet diversity is 18.63%. Conclusion: The study suggests in focusing on the targeted groups of children who are at more risk in developing VAD and planning interventions for specific groups. The nutrition programs require a multisectoral approach for addressing the needs of macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies simultaneously to enhance the current situation of nutrition among children in India