Anthropometric, vitamin A, iron and immunisation coverage status in children aged 6-71 months in South Africa, 1994. South African Vitamin A Consultative Group (SAVACG).

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

To establish the anthropometric, vitamin A, iron and immunisation coverage status of children 6-71 months of age in South Africa by means of a national survey.

SETTING

South Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population consisted of all children in the country aged 6-71 months. A total of 18,219 households (19,003 families) was selected on the basis of a national probability sample with disproportionate stratification by province.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Serum retinol, serum ferritin, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, weight, height and immunisation status.

RESULTS

According to international criteria, the national prevalence of marginal vitamin A status found in the survey identifies the country as having a serious public health problem of vitamin A deficiency. Stunting is a major problem in the country and is more prevalent in rural than in urban communities. In terms of anaemia and poor iron status, children in the 6-23-month age group were the most severely affected. A trend for increased immunisation coverage over the past 5 years was evident in every dose and in the percentage of fully immunised children.