title: Vitamin A deficiency and determinants of vitamin A status in Bangladeshi children and women: findings of a national survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Using data from the national micronutrients survey 2011-2012, the present study explored the status of subclinical vitamin A nutrition and the underlying determinants in the Bangladeshi population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nationwide cross-sectional study. Settings The survey covered 150 clusters; fifty in each of rural, urban and slum strata.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three population groups: (i) pre-school age children (6-59 months; PSAC); (ii) school age children (6-14 years; SAC); and (iii) non-pregnant non-lactating women (15-49 years; NPNLW).
  
  
  RESULTS
  National prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was 20·5, 20·8 and 5·3 % in PSAC, SAC and NPNLW, respectively. Slum populations had higher prevalence compared with urban (PSAC: 38·1 v. 21·2 %, P0·05 for differences in β between <3 months v. 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was high in children in Bangladesh. Intakes of animal-source foods and leafy vegetables were associated with higher and lower retinol status, respectively. Increased food diversity through animal-source foods is required.
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Clinical Services Division,icddr,b,68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani,Mohakhali,Dhaka 1212,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Sabuktagin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Clinical Services Division,icddr,b,68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani,Mohakhali,Dhaka 1212,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Ahmed Shafiqur
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: 2Health Systems and Population Studies Division,icddr,b,Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Nurul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Clinical Services Division,icddr,b,68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani,Mohakhali,Dhaka 1212,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Am Shamsir
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Clinical Services Division,icddr,b,68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani,Mohakhali,Dhaka 1212,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Santhia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ireen
authors.affiliation: 4UNICEF,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Ireen Akhter
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.affiliation: 5Ayesha Memorial Medical College,Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Fatima Parveen
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.affiliation: 6Institute of Public Health Nutrition,Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Sm Mustafizur
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Clinical Services Division,icddr,b,68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani,Mohakhali,Dhaka 1212,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Tahmeed
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D018401:Sample Size; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014675:Vegetables; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D018977:Micronutrients; D014801:Vitamin A
keywords: Animal-source foods; Bangladesh; Subclinical vitamin A status; Vitamin A supplementation