Mangusho Gilbert, Njogu Eunice, Baingana Rhona Kezabu, David-Kigaru Dorcus Mbithe
Department of Nutritional Science & Dietetics, Kyambogo University, P.O Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
BMC Nutr. 2024 Jun 11;10(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s40795-024-00891-5.
BACKGROUND: Vitamin A (VA) remains a core micronutrient as VA Deficiency (VAD) in children has persisted as a public health problem in parts of Africa with adverse effects. Caregivers of children are essential in the control of VAD; however, there is a paucity of data on their knowledge of VA, dietary sources, and VAD. This study sought to assess the level of VA-related nutrition knowledge (VANK) and its predictors among caregivers of preschool children in Eastern Uganda. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical design was used. Both socio-demographic and knowledge and attitude (KA) data were collected using a structured questionnaire partly adapted from the FAO model Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire. A sample size of 256 was used. Caregivers of 24-59 months-old children were selected from Bukwo District in Eastern Uganda using purposive and random sampling methods. Knowledge scores (%) based on responses to ten questions were determined and eventually classified as low (≤ 40%) and moderate or high (˃40%). Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using SPSS (version 24). Logistic regression was used to identify predictors with p < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: The study had 247 caregivers with a mean age of 30.9 ± 7.7 years. The majority were female (90%), married, subsistence crop farmers and had primary-level education or lower. The mean VANK score was 18.9 ± 24.7%. Overall, most of the caregivers had low VANK as only about 20% had moderate or high. The proportions that knew the different aspects of VANK were correspondingly small. About half of the caregivers (46.6%) knew VA itself and only 27% knew any of its sources. Those who knew VAD, its causes, signs/symptoms and prevention measures were 31, 22, 13 and 24% respectively. The caregivers' VANK was significantly associated with their overall VA-related attitude, age and level of education. However, education and age were the significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Caregivers had very low VANK. They barely knew VA and its food sources or VAD. The main predictors of VANK were caregiver age and level of education. The study recommends education of caregivers about VA for effective VAD control which contributes to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.
背景：维生素A（VA）仍然是一种核心微量营养素，因为儿童维生素A缺乏症（VAD）在非洲部分地区一直是一个公共卫生问题，并产生了不良影响。儿童的照料者在控制VAD方面至关重要；然而，关于他们对VA、饮食来源和VAD的了解的数据却很匮乏。本研究旨在评估乌干达东部学龄前儿童照料者的VA相关营养知识（VANK）水平及其预测因素。 方法：采用横断面分析设计。社会人口学数据以及知识和态度（KA）数据均通过一份结构化问卷收集，该问卷部分改编自粮农组织的知识、态度和实践（KAP）问卷模型。样本量为256。使用目的抽样和随机抽样方法从乌干达东部的布科区选取24至59个月大儿童的照料者。根据对十个问题的回答确定知识得分（%），最终分为低（≤40%）和中或高（>40%）两类。使用SPSS（版本24）进行描述性和推断性统计分析。采用逻辑回归来确定预测因素，p<0.05被视为具有统计学意义。 结果：该研究纳入了247名照料者，平均年龄为30.9±7.7岁。大多数为女性（90%），已婚，以种植自给作物为生，接受过小学及以下教育。VANK平均得分为18.9±24.7%。总体而言，大多数照料者的VANK水平较低，只有约20%的人处于中等或较高水平。了解VANK不同方面的比例相应较小。约一半的照料者（46.6%）了解VA本身，只有27%的人知道其任何一种来源。了解VAD、其病因、体征/症状和预防措施的照料者分别为31%、22%、13%和24%。照料者的VANK与他们总体的VA相关态度、年龄和教育水平显著相关。然而，教育程度和年龄是显著的预测因素。 结论：照料者的VANK水平非常低。他们几乎不了解VA及其食物来源或VAD。VANK的主要预测因素是照料者的年龄和教育水平。该研究建议对照料者进行VA相关教育，以有效控制VAD，这有助于实现可持续发展目标（SDG）2。
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