Coverage with vitamin A oil supplementation and factors influencing its uptake among children residing in an urban slum in Kolkata

Vitamin A oil supplementation of under-five children has been an effective strategy in reducing nutritional blindness and other childhood morbidity and mortality. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the coverage and factors influencing its uptake among 60–72 months old children residing in an urban slum in Kolkata. Out of 150 children only 61 (40.7%) had completed all 9 doses of vitamin A while immunization was up-to-date in a substantially higher (96.0%) proportion of children. Incomplete dosage of vitamin A oil were found to be higher in females, birth order above 2, families with low per capita income and poor nutritional status of the child. The association between maternal education and knowledge about dietary source was found to be statistically significant (χ² = 15, p < 0.05). Diet survey revealed inadequate intake in the majority (70.7%). Inadequate supply and lack of awareness were the two most common reasons of non compliance. More efforts are needed to ensure availability and awareness regarding vitamin A oil supplementation, promote dietary diversification and monitoring of health workers to prevent both under and overprescription with vitamin A oil.