FACTORS CONTRIBUTING VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN

ABSTRACT Background: Somalia is a developing country with a population of 14 million people (PGR, 2017). One of the most important nutritional problems in Somalia is micronutrient Malnutrition exemplified by deficiencies of vitamin A, iron and iodine (Somalia micronutrient survey, 2009). 3 million children suffer clinical Vitamin A deficiency (exhibiting the signs and symptoms of eye Damage and exophthalmia) (Blomhoff, 2001). It is a major health problem in the less developed Countries (Persson et al, 1998). Objective: The objectives of the study were to investigate nutritional factors related to vitamin A deficiency in children under five years, to identify socio-economic factors related to vitamin A deficiency in children under five years, to examine supplementary factors related to vitamin A deficiency in children under five years. Methodology: This study will employ non probability purposive sampling. A sample size of 80 was used and the data were collected using questionnaire and method that used is qualitative method. Whereas questionnaire used as tool while SPSS v20 used as data analyzer. Results: According to the Nutrition factor 65(81.25%) the majority of respondents agreed that Carotenes is a good source of vitamin A, According to Socio-economic factors the majority of respondents 30(37.5%), agreed that people with low income may become vitamin A deficient. Supplementation factor the majority of respondents 62(77.5%) agreed that poor intake of vitamin A supplementation may result vitamin A deficiency in children under five years. Conclusion and recommendation: Finally the researcher recommended that there should be an improvement mother knowledge, attitudes and practices related to child growth and interventions for improved vitamin A supplementation among children’s and mothers during pregnancies.