A Micro Level Evaluation of Vitamin -A Prophylaxis Programme

Abstract

Research Question : what is the extent of Vit A Coverage of Pre-school children in a PHC? 2. What is the impact of the programme on the prevalence of vit. A deficiency? Objective: 1. To conduct a micro level evaluation of Vit. A prophylaxis programme within a selected area of a PHC in term of : (a) programme performances (b) impact on the prevalence of Vit A deficiency. Study Design: Cross sectional Setting: Selected subcentres of PHC Dankaur . Bulandshahr District, U.P. Participants: Pre â€" school children. Sample size : 986 pre school children from 714 households Study Variables: age, doses of Vit- A received. Outcome variables: Extent of coverage Vit-A deficiency signs. Statistical Analysis: Proportions , Regression coefficient, Analysis of Variance. Results: The reported achievement of Vit A prophyxis was 100%. How ever, the actual coverage was 9.8% and none of these had received appropriate doses for their ages. The prevalence of Bitot spot was 5.1% with a statistically significant increase with increasing Age. Medical and para medical personnel were inadequately informed about the Vit A prophylaxis programme and the supply of Vit A had been irregular. Recommendations: Adequate and correct information should be given to all health workers regarding age of children beneficiaries for Vit A, number and interval between doses. Realistic targets should be set which should take into account the actual number of beneficiaries in the community. Vit A supply should be regular and monitoring of the programme should be done at frequent intervals.