UNASSIGNED: The clinical manifestations of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) involve night blindness, bitot\'s spots, corneal xerosis, and corneal scars. It is the most important cause of preventable childhood blindness among children and causes morbidity and mortality. Even though Ethiopia implemented high-potency vitamin A supplements, the occurrence of VAD remains significant. This study was to identify determinants of clinical VAD among preschool-aged children (PSC) in southwest Ethiopia.
UNASSIGNED: A community-based survey was conducted among 411 randomly selected PSCs. A pretested and structured questionnaire coupled with clinical observation for signs of vitamin A deficiency by a trained ophthalmologist was used to collect the data. An anthropometric measurement of height was taken and analyzed using WHO Anthro to calculate Z-scores for each index. The public health significance of VAD was declared after comparison with international references. A bi-variable and multi-variable logistic analysis was done. We reported the adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% confidence interval, and p-value.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 411 children were screened for clinical VAD, and the overall prevalence was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.5-2.5). Of which, night blindness affects 1.2%, bitot\'s spots affects 0.7%, and corneal xerosis affects 0.2%, indicating a major public health problem compared to the international reference. The odds of clinical VAD were 81% lower among children who received vitamin A supplementation (VAS; AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04-0.92). On the other hand, PSC of mothers who had attended ANC visits were 89% less likely to develop clinical VAD (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02-0.53). In addition, the study revealed that the odds of developing clinical VAD are 82% lower among PSC aged 36 to 47 months (AOR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03-0.97).
UNASSIGNED: The prevalence of clinical VAD among PSC is a public health problem and is associated with ANC visits, VAS status, and the age of the child, which could be used to target interventions to further reduce existing VAD. Further studies using reliable dietary intake and biomarker data could further depict the burden of subclinical VAD.

UNASSIGNED: Globally, pre-school children are the most at-risk population groups for vitamin A deficiency (VAD). The 2009 World Health Organization (WHO) report stated that one-third (190 million) of pre-school children worldwide are deficient in vitamin A. Both clinical and subclinical VAD have been a long-standing problem in developing countries. In Ethiopia, VAD was recognized as a public health problem 4-5 decades before. Since then, researches conducted in other parts of the country still showed varied and high prevalence, which is 2-8 times higher than WHO cut-off points. This community-based study was therefore conducted on pre-school children of rural kebeles in Farta district to determine the prevalence of clinical VAD (Bitot\'s spot and night blindness) and associated factors.
UNASSIGNED: A community-based cross-sectional mixed quantitative and qualitative study was conducted. Randomly selected 588 pre-school children participated in the study. The clinical aspect of the study investigated the presence of Bitot\'s spots on the children\'s eye with the aid of a magnifying loop and torch. Data on the history of night blindness were obtained from mothers/caregivers by using WHO standard questions. The qualitative study data were obtained via a key informant interview with the mothers/caregivers whose child has clinical VAD. Quantitative data were entered using Epi Data statistical software and analysed by using SPSS version 20 statistical software package. A bivariable logistic regression was employed, and variables that showed significant association with clinical VAD (P < 0.2) were entered a multivariable logistic regression model to identify independent predictors of clinical VAD.
UNASSIGNED: The prevalence of Bitot\'s spot and night blindness was 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively. Pre-school children who were from highland (AOR: 3.71; 95% CI: 1.01-13.68), a mother having antenatal care (ANC) visit during pregnancy of a child (AOR: 8.63; 95% CI: 2.58-28.79), family monthly income (AOR: 8.63; 95% CI: 2.58-28.79) and handwashing frequency were found to be determinants of VAD (p < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: Clinical vitamin A deficiency in the study area is of public health concern because the prevalence of Bitot\'s and night blindness was above the WHO threshold level. Accordingly, effective preventive measures should be designed to reduce VAD prevalence.