Extent of vitamin A deficiency among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among
pregnant women in rural Bangladesh, and examine the relationship between
various factors and vitamin A status.
Setting: Community Nutrition Promoter (CNP) centres in Kapasia sub-district of
Gazipur district, Bangladesh.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Subjects and methods: Two hundred women, aged 18–39 years, in their second or
third trimester of pregnancy were selected from seventeen CNP centres in four
unions of Kapasia sub-district where they usually visit for antenatal care. Various
socio-economic, personal and pregnancy-related information, dietary intake of
vitamin A and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) data were collected. Serum
retinol (vitamin A) concentration was determined.
Results: More than half (51 %) of the pregnant women had low vitamin A status
(serum retinol ,1?05 mmol/l) with 18?5% having VAD (serum retinol
,0?70mmol/l). Fifty-three per cent of the women’s vitamin A intake was less than
the recommended dietary allowance. By multiple regression analysis, MUAC,
per-capita expenditure on food and wealth index were found to have significant
independent positive relationship with serum retinol concentration, while
gestational age of the pregnant women had a negative relationship. The overall
F-ratio (10?3) was highly significant (P50?0001), the adjusted R2 was 0?18
(multiple R50?45).
Conclusion: VAD is highly prevalent among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh.
Gestational age, nutritional status, per-capita expenditure on food and wealth
index appear to be important in influencing the vitamin A status of these women.
An appropriate intervention is warranted in order to improve the vitamin A status.