Determinants of Uptake of Vitamin A Supplementation Among Children Aged 6-59 Months in Mogadishu – Somalia.

Abstract

Title: Determinants of the uptake of vitamin A supplementation among children aged 6-59 months in Mogadishu – Somalia.

Specific Objectives: - to determine the proportion of children aged 6-59 months who took Vitamin A supplementation once or twice in the previous 12 months in Mogadishu, Somalia, - to assess the level of the knowledge of mothers/caregivers on the need for Vitamin A uptake for their children aged 6-59 months in Mogadishu, Somalia, -to identify health factors influencing the utilization of Vitamin A supplementation by children aged 6-59 months in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Methodology: the mothers and caregivers of the children were interviewed to get the demographic data, socioeconomic status of the mothers, caregivers and the family, the mothers’ and caregivers’ knowledge on the vitamin A supplementation as well as data of health services. Key Informant interview of health service providers was used to get further explanation on health service factors.

Summary Results: only 32% of the children aged 6-59 months were confirmed to take the vitamin A supplementation for the past 12 months, out of which only 41% of them took the vitamin A supplementation twice. Children taking vitamin A supplementation was found to be significantly associated with their caregivers’ knowledge (79.1% chance) on vitamin A supplementation and on the medical effect of vitamin A deficiency. The behavior of the health worker (75% chance) and the supply availability (moderate correlation: 74.1) were also found to be significantly associated to the uptake of vitamin A supplementation. Unavailability of the protocol and lack of orientation or training to follow the protocol could be a contributing factor to the poor behavior of the health workers.

Conclusion and recommendation: Following the findings above of the low uptake of the vitamin A supplementation and its determinants, the recommendations focuses on improving the availability of the protocol, in-service training or orientation to health workers, developing communication strategy to promote the behavior change of the mothers and caregivers and appropriate supply forecasting, planning, procurement and management.