Anthropometric, vitamin A, iron and immunisation coverage status in children aged 6-71 months in South Africa, 1994. South African Vitamin A Consultative Group (SAVACG)

Abstract

Objective and design: To establish the anthropometric, vitamin A, iron and immunisation coverage status of children 6-71 months of age in South Africa by means of a national survey.

Setting: South Africa.

Participants: The study population consisted of all children in the country aged 6-71 months. A total of 18,219 households (19,003 families) was selected on the basis of a national probability sample with disproportionate stratification by province.

Outcome measures: Serum retinol, serum ferritin, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, weight, height and immunisation status.

Results: According to international criteria, the national prevalence of marginal vitamin A status found in the survey identifies the country as having a serious public health problem of vitamin A deficiency. Stunting is a major problem in the country and is more prevalent in rural than in urban communities. In terms of anaemia and poor iron status, children in the 6-23-month age group were the most severely affected. A trend for increased immunisation coverage over the past 5 years was evident in every dose and in the percentage of fully immunised children.