title: Vitamin A supplementation awareness among mothers of children under five years old at Mbagathi District Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading micro-nutrient deficiencies of public health importance in Kenya. Provision of vitamin A supplements every six months is an inexpensive, safe, quick and effective way to improve vitamin A status and save children's lives.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine vitamin A supplementation awareness, attitudes and beliefs among mothers of children under five years old attending Mbagathi District Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mbagathi District Hospital (MDH) Maternal and Child Health Clinic (MCH) and Paediatric Out Patient Department (POPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers attending MDH MCH and POPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both quantitative and qualitative data using questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic random sampling where every alternate client was recruited and questionnaires administered to make 158 respondents. Key informants were purposively chosen for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety four percent of the respondents reported having heard about vitamin A, major source of information being the health worker (82%). While 58% of the respondents were aware that the recommended schedule for VAS for children is every 6 months, almost half (49%) of respondents were aware vitamin A was given to mothers. Most of the respondents were positive and supportive of VAS. There were no negative beliefs or attitudes mentioned. However, majority (66%) had never discussed about Vitamin A with other mothers/people. Only 18% of the respondents believed VAD was associated with eye problems/blindness. Most mothers did not believe there was a specific consequence of VAD. Majority (64%) of the respondents did not believe there were any possible hindrances to taking their children for VAS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mothers were positive and supportive of VAS, major source of information being the health worker but there was lackof information and awareness among both health workers and mothers.
authors.affiliation: mwkamau@gmail.com
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Njue
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Makokha
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Mutai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A