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Abstract：
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.
CONCLUSIONS: 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.
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.
CONCLUSIONS: 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.
摘要：
背景：维生素A（VA）仍然是一种核心微量营养素，因为儿童的VA缺乏症（VAD）在非洲部分地区一直是公共卫生问题，并产生不良影响。照顾儿童的人在控制VAD方面至关重要；然而，关于他们对VA的了解的数据很少，膳食来源，和VAD。这项研究旨在评估乌干达东部学龄前儿童照顾者中与VA相关的营养知识（VANK）水平及其预测因素。
方法：使用横截面分析设计。社会人口统计和知识和态度（KA）数据都是使用结构化问卷收集的，该问卷部分改编自粮农组织模型知识，态度与实践(KAP)问卷。使用256的样品大小。使用有目的和随机抽样的方法从乌干达东部的Bukwo区选择了24-59个月大的儿童的照顾者。确定了基于对十个问题的回答的知识得分（％），并最终分为低（≤40％）和中或高（40％）。使用SPSS(版本24)计算描述性和推断性统计数据。使用Logistic回归来识别预测因子,其中p<0.05被认为是显著的。
结果：该研究有247名护理人员，平均年龄为30.9±7.7岁。大多数是女性（90％）。已婚,自给作物农民，受过小学教育或更低。平均VANK评分为18.9±24.7%。总的来说,大多数护理人员的VANK较低,因为只有约20%的患者为中度或高度.知道VANK不同方面的比例相应较小。大约一半的护理人员（46.6％）知道VA本身，只有27％知道其任何来源。那些了解VAD的人，其原因,症状/体征和预防措施分别为31％，22％，13％和24％。护理人员的VANK与他们的整体VA相关态度显着相关，年龄和教育水平。然而,受教育程度和年龄是重要的预测因素。
结论：护理人员的VANK非常低。他们几乎不知道VA及其食物来源或VAD。VANK的主要预测因素是照顾者的年龄和受教育程度。该研究建议对护理人员进行有关VA的教育，以进行有效的VAD控制，这有助于实现可持续发展目标（SDG）2。
方法：使用横截面分析设计。社会人口统计和知识和态度（KA）数据都是使用结构化问卷收集的，该问卷部分改编自粮农组织模型知识，态度与实践(KAP)问卷。使用256的样品大小。使用有目的和随机抽样的方法从乌干达东部的Bukwo区选择了24-59个月大的儿童的照顾者。确定了基于对十个问题的回答的知识得分（％），并最终分为低（≤40％）和中或高（
结果：该研究有247名护理人员，平均年龄为30.9±7.7岁。大多数是女性（90％）。已婚,自给作物农民，受过小学教育或更低。平均VANK评分为18.9±24.7%。总的来说,大多数护理人员的VANK较低,因为只有约20%的患者为中度或高度.知道VANK不同方面的比例相应较小。大约一半的护理人员（46.6％）知道VA本身，只有27％知道其任何来源。那些了解VAD的人，其原因,症状/体征和预防措施分别为31％，22％，13％和24％。护理人员的VANK与他们的整体VA相关态度显着相关，年龄和教育水平。然而,受教育程度和年龄是重要的预测因素。
结论：护理人员的VANK非常低。他们几乎不知道VA及其食物来源或VAD。VANK的主要预测因素是照顾者的年龄和受教育程度。该研究建议对护理人员进行有关VA的教育，以进行有效的VAD控制，这有助于实现可持续发展目标（SDG）2。
