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Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Anemia are important public health nutritional problems in India. Objective: To assess nutritional status and prevalence and correlates of undernutrition, anemia, and VAD among children. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out adopting systematic random sampling. Information on socio-demographic particulars was collected and 20 µL blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop on Whatman filter paper for Vitamin A estimation. Hemoglobin was estimated using indirect cyanmethemoglobin and Vitamin A by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO Child Growth Standard. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia and VAD was 68% and 59%, respectively, while underweight, stunting, and wasting was 30%, 55%, and 11%, respectively, among under 5 year children. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association of anemia and VAD with any sociodemographic variables, while the odd of stunting was four times higher among children of mothers engaged in labor and two times among children from low-income group, while underweight was two times higher among children from households not having sanitary latrine. Exclusive breastfeeding was observed to be associated with undernutrition among infants. Conclusions: Anemia, VAD, and stunting were high among children. Low intakes of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk product may be the reasons for the higher prevalence of anemia and VAD. There is a need to strengthen supplementation of iron and folic acid tablets and Vitamin A and also public distribution system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) established at public health facilities provide residential medical nutrition therapy for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) children with complications. A large proportion of their mothers are also malnourished. NRCs do not provide services to such mothers as part of routine practice. However, technical algorithm for delivering Maternal Nutrition (MN) services in facility settings is available. Objectives: To test the practical feasibility of layering the MN services in NRC as a routine service. Methods: The MN services were delivered by a nutrition counselor using a triage approach (assess, classify, supplement/counsel/treat). All mothers received diet, micronutrients, and group counseling, those at nutritional risk received individual counseling and SAM mothers also received catch-up diet during their stay. Program data were collected from mothers during January 1 to August 31, 2019 at the NRC in Kalawati Saran Children Hospital. To gain operational insights, a structured interview with nutrition counselor was conducted. Results: Out of 168 mothers, 8% were found to be pregnant and 89% were at nutrition or medical risk. The prevalence of short stature was 18%, severe/ thin 21%, overweight/obese 34%, and anemic 72%. Feedback from the nutrition counselor indicated no operational challenges, however, further efforts to ensure that mothers keep coming back for follow-up visits is needed. Conclusion: The findings indicated that existing staffs were able to deliver the MN services within the time, cost, and regime of the routine NRC. This paper provides four recommendations for layering the MN services in NRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, Vitamin A, and iodine are important public health problems in India. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess subclinical Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and anemia among women and preschool children from Northeast India. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out by adopting systematic sampling in Phek district of Nagaland. Data were collected from women on sociodemographic particulars, and finger prick blood was collected for hemoglobin and free-flowing drop for Vitamin A estimation on Whatman no. 1 filter paper. Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 27%, 40%, 44%, and 52% among preschool children, nonpregnant nonlactating women, lactating mothers, and pregnant women, respectively, whereas VAD was 37% among preschool children and 24%-32% among adult women. The prevalence of VAD was observed high among those living in kutcha house, illiteracy of head of households, big family size, and low per capita income. Conclusions: Anemia and VAD are important public health problems among tribal population in spite of the rich biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]