Background Vitamin A (VA) remains one of the core micronutrients as VA Deficiency (VAD) in children has persisted as a public health problem in many parts of Africa and Asia with adverse micro and macro-level effects. Caregivers of children are essential in the control of VAD; however, there is paucity of data on their knowledge of VA, dietary sources and VAD. This study sought to assess the level of VA-related nutrition knowledge (VANK) and its predictors among caregivers of children aged 24–59 months in Eastern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional analytical design was used. Both socio-demographic and knowledge and attitude (KA) data were collected using a structured questionnaire partly adapted from the FAO model Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire. A total of 247 caregivers of children in Bukwo District in Eastern Uganda out of 256 selected using purposive and random sampling methods participated in the study. Ten knowledge questions were used to assess caregiver knowledge based on percentage scores and levels attained (≤ 40%, low; 41–69%, medium and ≥ 70%, high). Pearson’s Chi-square and correlation, and regression statistics were used to analyze the data, with p < .05 considered as significant. Results The caregivers were mostly female (90%) with a mean age of 30.89 years (SD = 7.69), majority were married subsistence crop farmers with at least primary level education. Just over 20% scored above 40% on VANK, with varying scores for different aspects: knowledge of VA (46.6%) and VAD (31%); VAD causes (22%), signs/symptoms of VAD (13%) and means of prevention (24%). Perceived severity of VAD among caregivers was significantly associated with their VANK. Age and level of education, were found to be significant socio-demographic predictors of VANK (p < .05). Conclusion Caregivers of under-fives in Eastern Uganda had inadequate VANK which was also associated with their perceptions of VAD severity. The main predictors of VANK were age and educational level of the caregiver. Efforts to enhance VANK are recommended especially among caregivers with lower education levels for effective VAD control and achievement of nutrition-related goals such as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.

Abstract:Hidden hunger or micronutrient deficiency continues to bedevil developing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.Cumulatively, efforts to alleviate micronutrient deficiency have not been as great as those directed towards protein-energy malnutrition and altogether less on the important age group, the school age children. There is lack of clear understanding of the relationships between hidden hunger and the more obvious socioeconomic conditions. Good education is regarded as the window of opportunity to break the vicious cycle of poverty. Poverty eradication programmes have often been contextually delinked from nutrition interventions and education provision and as a result, nutrition interventions have focused much less on the school child.For all intentions, nutritional interventions targeted at pregnancy, infancy and early childhood, as is the status quo, are all proactive approaches intended to produce better outcomes in the long term. Perhaps it is important to have a holistic approach that includes school children in nutritional interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. This study therefore sought to uncover the problem of hidden hunger among school children and illuminate on the linkages between this problem, educational achievement and the socioeconomic conditions prevailing in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was done by reviewing published literature accessed through the internet. Almost all studies exploring micronutrient malnutrition among school children show that it is a big problem in Sub-Saharan Africa which has received little attention. Deficiencies of Iron, Zinc and vitamin A, nutrients which affect immensely the health and well-being of school children, are commonplace in Sub-Saharan Africa, and individual nutrient deficiencies often interact to disrupt educational progress of the children and dampen their future socioeconomic prospects. This could partly be explained by high levels of school dropouts and inadequate foundational skills attained by children upon completion of primary school. It is therefore recommended that Sub-Saharan African countries strengthen schoolchild micronutrient nutrition efforts in conjunction with education provision and poverty alleviation.

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