Mass supplementation of vitamin A linked to National Immunization Day.

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dc.contributor.authorSwami, H Men_US
dc.contributor.authorThakur, J Sen_US
dc.contributor.authorBhatia, S P Sen_US
dc.date.accessioned2002-08-03en_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-05-30T16:26:10Z
dc.date.available2002-08-03en_US
dc.date.available2009-05-30T16:26:10Z
dc.date.issued2002-08-03en_US
dc.description.abstractOBJECTIVE: Main objectives were to assess the feasibility of linking vitamin A delivery with National Immunization Days (NIDs) and to see the impact on xerophthalmia. METHODS: An Intervention study of mass distribution of vitamin A solution was undertaken to control widespread xerophthalmia prevalent in children living in about 26 slums of Chandigarh in the year 2000. Two rounds of mass distribution of Vitamin A solution covering 27642 and 31762 children in 1-5 years of age in first and second rounds, respectively, were undertaken. The findings of second round and post evaluation after intervention are presented here. An additional team of two persons per pulse polio immunization (PPI) centre delivered age specific doses of vitamin A solution through 98 centres and operational problems were recorded. PPI staff provided the supervision and PPI tally sheets were used. RESULTS: The programme achieved a vitamin A coverage rate of 99% in first round and 88% in second round. Only two parents refused vitamin A solution. No side effect or cases of toxicity due to vitamin A were reported by health institutions in the area or in a stratified random sample of 101 children. There was a significant decline (13.4%) in xerophthalmia after two rounds of mass distribution (P < .001). The strategy to deliver vitamin A was successfully integrated into NID's and appeared to achieve a significant decline in xerophthalmia. CONCLUSION: Linking of vitamin A distribution with PPI could be a basis for launching similar initiatives in other areas of India and other countries where xerophthalmia is a public health problem.en_US
dc.description.affiliationDepartment of Community Medicine, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, India. drhmswami@doctor.comen_US
dc.identifier.citationSwami HM, Thakur JS, Bhatia SP. Mass supplementation of vitamin A linked to National Immunization Day. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2002 Aug; 69(8): 675-8en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/84565
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.source.urihttps://medind.nic.in/icb/icbai.shtmlen_US
dc.subject.meshDietary Supplementsen_US
dc.subject.meshDrug Therapy --methodsen_US
dc.subject.meshHealth Policyen_US
dc.subject.meshHumansen_US
dc.subject.meshImmunization Programsen_US
dc.subject.meshIndia --epidemiologyen_US
dc.subject.meshProgram Evaluationen_US
dc.subject.meshVitamin A --supply & distributionen_US
dc.subject.meshVitamin A Deficiency --epidemiologyen_US
dc.subject.meshXerophthalmia --epidemiologyen_US
dc.titleMass supplementation of vitamin A linked to National Immunization Day.en_US
dc.typeJournal Articleen_US
dc.typeResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'ten_US
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