title: Prevalence and determinants of xerophthalmia in rural children of Uttarpradesh, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is recognized as a major cause of blindness among children in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out the prevalence of VAD in rural children of Uttar Pradesh, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was undertaken amongst children (0-15 years) in a rural area of Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) where the study population was selected by simple random sampling out of villages under a Primary Health Centre. Out of 844 children, 802 participated in the study. The WHO classification of xerophthalmia was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the prevalence of xerophthalmia was 5.4 %. The prevalence of Bitot's spots was 0.9 % in children under six years of age and 3.3 % in children above six years. The prevalence of xerophthalmia was significantly more in older children. Overall, the prevalence of anemia was found to be 11.8 % in the study population. A significantly high prevalence of xerophthalmia (OR= 5.7; 95 % CI = 2.8 - 11.5) was observed in children suffering from anemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of a milder manifestation of xerophthalmia and a 0.9 % prevalence of Bitot's spot in children under six years of age in the present study shows a declining trend of VAD although it is still a public health problem. The higher prevalence in children above six years of age shows that apart from strengthening of Vitamin A prophylaxis programs, health education is needed for dietary diversification to include vegetables and fruits in the diet for long-term sustainability in improving the vitamin A status of children of all age groups.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.lastname: Dharmendra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A