Risk factors for xerophthalmia in the Republic of Kiribati.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for xerophthalmia in the Republic of Kiribati.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
The Republic of Kiribati.


METHODS
666 xerophthalmic preschool children (cases) and 816 children without xerophthalmia (controls) from a population-based sample of 4619 children who participated in a xerophthalmia prevalence survey.


METHODS
Clinical signs of xerophthalmia (night blindness, Bitot's spots, corneal xerophthalmia and keratomalacia).


RESULTS
Multivariable logistic regression models showed older age [1.35(1.24, 1.47)] [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)]; male sex [1.32(1.05, 1.67)]; recent diarrhea [1.45(1.10, 1.89)]; severe [3.82(2.73, 5.35)], moderate [3.55(2.04, 6.18)], and mild [3.07(2.33, 4.04)] protein-energy malnutrition; current breast-feeding [0.30(0.19, 0.46)]; higher frequency of consumption of carotenoid-containing fruits and vegetables [0.93(0.80, 0.96)]; and the presence of a Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific garden project [0.70(0.52, 0.93)] were each independently associated with xerophthalmia. A recent history of measles was associated with corneal xerophthalmia [7.73(1.78, 33.65)].


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide further evidence of the relationship between xerophthalmia and factors that may be amenable to intervention, and suggest that greater availability and consumption of provitamin A carotenoids is associated with decreased risk of xerophthalmia among preschool children.
Schaumberg
D A
DA
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
O'Connor
J
J
Semba
R D
RD
D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications; D008849:Micronesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology