Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundVitamin A supplementation is a key strategy for preventing the consequences of vitamin A deficiency and childhood illnesses, notably in countries where vitamin A deficiency is a public health issue. However, studies in Ethiopia are inconsistent. Hence, this meta-analysis assessed coverage...

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Main Authors: Wubet Tazeb Wondie, Alemu Birara Zemariam, Gezahagn Demsu Gedefaw, Gebeyehu Lakew, Eyob Getachew, Berihun Agegn Mengistie, Adamu Ambachew Shibabaw, Alex Ayenew Chereka, Gemeda Wakgari Kitil, Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw, Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1496931/full
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author Wubet Tazeb Wondie
Alemu Birara Zemariam
Gezahagn Demsu Gedefaw
Gebeyehu Lakew
Eyob Getachew
Berihun Agegn Mengistie
Adamu Ambachew Shibabaw
Alex Ayenew Chereka
Gemeda Wakgari Kitil
Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw
Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen
author_facet Wubet Tazeb Wondie
Alemu Birara Zemariam
Gezahagn Demsu Gedefaw
Gebeyehu Lakew
Eyob Getachew
Berihun Agegn Mengistie
Adamu Ambachew Shibabaw
Alex Ayenew Chereka
Gemeda Wakgari Kitil
Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw
Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen
author_sort Wubet Tazeb Wondie
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundVitamin A supplementation is a key strategy for preventing the consequences of vitamin A deficiency and childhood illnesses, notably in countries where vitamin A deficiency is a public health issue. However, studies in Ethiopia are inconsistent. Hence, this meta-analysis assessed coverage of vitamin A supplementation and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in Ethiopia.MethodsA search of articles from databases (PubMed, Science Direct, African Index Medicus, and HINARI), and search engines (Google Scholar, Google, and Worldwide Science) was done. All observational studies that report vitamin A supplementation and/or associated factors among children were included. The Joana Brigs quality appraisal checklist was used. To estimate the pooled effect size a random effect model was used. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2-test and Cochrane Q statistics. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test and funnel plot.ResultsA total of 14 studies, involving 43,047 children aged 6–59 months, were included. The pooled vitamin A supplementation coverage was 54.88% (95% CI: 47.34–62.42). The lowest coverage 43.71%% (95% CI: 42.71–45.14) was among children 6–35 months. Four or more antenatal care (AOR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.59–2.01), Postnatal care (AOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.24–1.66), delivery at health facilities (AOR: 1.14 95%CI: 1.02–1.28), media exposure (AOR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.31), time to reach health facilities (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11–3.24), information about VAS (AOR: 2.99, 95%CI: 1.72–5.20), maternal secondary education and above (AOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07–1.64), and (AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.31–4.09) respectively, and fathers education above secondary school (AOR:1.92, 95% CI: 1.13–3.26) were significant factors.ConclusionThe pooled vitamin A supplementation coverage is significantly below the WHO’s recommendation of 80%. Antenatal care, postnatal care, health facilities delivery, media exposure, time to reach health facilities, Information about VAS, maternal and paternal secondary education, and above increase VAS. Hence, the national nutritional program is better to increase awareness of the community about VAS, particularly targeting parents with low educational status and no antenatal and postnatal care through social media and community meetings. Additionally, the EPI program should strengthen outreach supplementations including door-to-door distribution to address older children and socio-economically disadvantaged populations.Systematic review registrationidentifier CRD42024576200.
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spelling doaj-art-e176b10d171b490aaa9f45369ae0f7c62025-08-20T03:17:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-04-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.14969311496931Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysisWubet Tazeb Wondie0Alemu Birara Zemariam1Gezahagn Demsu Gedefaw2Gebeyehu Lakew3Eyob Getachew4Berihun Agegn Mengistie5Adamu Ambachew Shibabaw6Alex Ayenew Chereka7Gemeda Wakgari Kitil8Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw9Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen10Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Referral Hospital, Ambo University, Ambo, EthiopiaDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science Woldia University, Woldia, EthiopiaDepartment of Neonatal Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of General Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mettu University, Mettu, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mettu University, Mettu, EthiopiaDepartment of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Mettu University, Mettu, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, EthiopiaBackgroundVitamin A supplementation is a key strategy for preventing the consequences of vitamin A deficiency and childhood illnesses, notably in countries where vitamin A deficiency is a public health issue. However, studies in Ethiopia are inconsistent. Hence, this meta-analysis assessed coverage of vitamin A supplementation and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in Ethiopia.MethodsA search of articles from databases (PubMed, Science Direct, African Index Medicus, and HINARI), and search engines (Google Scholar, Google, and Worldwide Science) was done. All observational studies that report vitamin A supplementation and/or associated factors among children were included. The Joana Brigs quality appraisal checklist was used. To estimate the pooled effect size a random effect model was used. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2-test and Cochrane Q statistics. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test and funnel plot.ResultsA total of 14 studies, involving 43,047 children aged 6–59 months, were included. The pooled vitamin A supplementation coverage was 54.88% (95% CI: 47.34–62.42). The lowest coverage 43.71%% (95% CI: 42.71–45.14) was among children 6–35 months. Four or more antenatal care (AOR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.59–2.01), Postnatal care (AOR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.24–1.66), delivery at health facilities (AOR: 1.14 95%CI: 1.02–1.28), media exposure (AOR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.31), time to reach health facilities (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11–3.24), information about VAS (AOR: 2.99, 95%CI: 1.72–5.20), maternal secondary education and above (AOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07–1.64), and (AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.31–4.09) respectively, and fathers education above secondary school (AOR:1.92, 95% CI: 1.13–3.26) were significant factors.ConclusionThe pooled vitamin A supplementation coverage is significantly below the WHO’s recommendation of 80%. Antenatal care, postnatal care, health facilities delivery, media exposure, time to reach health facilities, Information about VAS, maternal and paternal secondary education, and above increase VAS. Hence, the national nutritional program is better to increase awareness of the community about VAS, particularly targeting parents with low educational status and no antenatal and postnatal care through social media and community meetings. Additionally, the EPI program should strengthen outreach supplementations including door-to-door distribution to address older children and socio-economically disadvantaged populations.Systematic review registrationidentifier CRD42024576200.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1496931/fullassociated factorschildren 6–59 months’coverageEthiopiavitamin A supplementation
spellingShingle Wubet Tazeb Wondie
Alemu Birara Zemariam
Gezahagn Demsu Gedefaw
Gebeyehu Lakew
Eyob Getachew
Berihun Agegn Mengistie
Adamu Ambachew Shibabaw
Alex Ayenew Chereka
Gemeda Wakgari Kitil
Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw
Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen
Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Public Health
associated factors
children 6–59 months’
coverage
Ethiopia
vitamin A supplementation
title Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort vitamin a supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6 59 months of age in ethiopia a systematic review and meta analysis
topic associated factors
children 6–59 months’
coverage
Ethiopia
vitamin A supplementation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1496931/full
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