OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To establish the anthropometric, vitamin A, iron and immunisation coverage status of children 6-71 months of age in South Africa by means of a national survey. SETTING: South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of all children in the country aged 6-71 months. A total of 18,219 households (19,003 families) was selected on the basis of a national probability sample with disproportionate stratification by province. OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum retinol, serum ferritin, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, weight, height and immunisation status. RESULTS: According to international criteria, the national prevalence of marginal vitamin A status found in the survey identifies the country as having a serious public health problem of vitamin A deficiency. Stunting is a major problem in the country and is more prevalent in rural than in urban communities. In terms of anaemia and poor iron status, children in the 6-23-month age group were the most severely affected. A trend for increased immunisation coverage over the past 5 years was evident in every dose and in the percentage of fully immunised children.
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To establish the anthropometric, vitamin A, iron and immunisation coverage status of children 6-71 months of age in South Africa by means of a national survey. SETTING: South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of all children in the country aged 6-71 months. A total of 18,219 households (19,003 families) was selected on the basis of a national probability sample with disproportionate stratification by province. OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum retinol, serum ferritin, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, weight, height and immunisation status. RESULTS: According to international criteria, the national prevalence of marginal vitamin A status found in the survey identifies the country as having a serious public health problem of vitamin A deficiency. Stunting is a major problem in the country and is more prevalent in rural than in urban communities. In terms of anaemia and poor iron status, children in the 6-23-month age group were the most severely affected. A trend for increased immunisation coverage over the past 5 years was evident in every dose and in the percentage of fully immunised children.
Authors: Philip A May; Kari J Hamrick; Karen D Corbin; Julie M Hasken; Anna-Susan Marais; Lesley E Brooke; Jason Blankenship; H Eugene Hoyme; J Phillip Gossage Journal: Reprod Toxicol Date: 2014-02-22 Impact factor: 3.143
Authors: Meera K Chhagan; Jan Van den Broeck; Kany-Kany A Luabeya; Nontobeko Mpontshane; Andrew Tomkins; Michael L Bennish Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-03-18 Impact factor: 3.295