UPTAKE OF ROUTINE VITAMIN A SUPPLIMENTATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS IN BUNO BEDELE ZONE PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA, 2024

Background: Vitamin A Supplementation is for the functioning of the immune system and the healthy growth and development of children and reduces child morbidity and mortality. However, Ethiopian children do not receive the necessary dose of vitamin A supplementation. Addressing the gaps related to vitamin A requires a multifaceted approach, including education, strengthening health care delivery and community engagement. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of uptake of Vitamin A Supplementation and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in public hospitals, Buno Bedele, Southwestern Ethiopia, 2024. Methods and Materials: This study was conducted among randomly selected 317 childmothers‘ paired respondents. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 15 to July 15, 2024. Data were collected using kobo collect software, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable logistic regression analysis was used select candidate variables for the multivariable logistic regression analysis at a p-value < 0.25. Multicollinearity was checked by using VIF while model fitness was checked by using Hosmer-Lemeshow test. AOR with its 95% CI were used to measure association of variables. A p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Result: According to the results, the magnitude of VAS was 64.4% (95% CI: 1.344, 1.682). Mothers/care givers who completed college/University AOR: 11.87 (95% CI: 2.031 to 69.407, P=0.001), Mothers or care givers whose spouses graduated from college/university AOR: 5.9 (95% CI: 1.259 to 27.703, P=0.003), respondents good knowledge about the VAS AOR: 11.6 (95% CI: 6.786, 20.204, P=0.001), Care giver/family who know the consequence of VAD AOR: 8.3 (95% CI:2.19 to 31.47,p=0.002) and the amount of time spent traveling to the closest health facility less than thirty minute AOR: 3.92 (95% CI: 1.750 to 8.815, P=0.001) and between thirty to sixty nine minute AOR: 3.59 (95% CI: 1.58 to 8.817, P=0.002) were significantly associated with up-take of VAS. Conclusion: The coverage of VAS in the study area was 64.4 % which is below the WHO‘s recommendation and national target of 80%. Government and all responsible body should create continuous awareness creation programs for local communities, research studies focused on gaps of uptake of vitamin A supplementation should be strengthened.