Iron and vitamin a status of breastfeeding mothers in Zambia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in breastfeeding mothers. Design: Cross sectional descriptive survey. Subjects: Breastfeeding mothers bringing their children to under five clinic. Setting: A shanty compound in the outskirts of Ndola city, Zambia, Central Africa. Main outcome measures: Concentrations of vitamin A, iron, haemoglobin and correlation between vitamin A and iron. Results: Anaemia was found in 29% while iron deficiency was present in 41 % of the women studied. Iron deficiency anaemia was responsible for 22% of the anaemia cases. A positive correlation was found between serum vitamin A and haemoglobin concentrations (r=0.184) and a significant statistical relationship existed (p<0.05). This statistical significance was even greater when a correlation was made between haemoglobin concentrations and vitamin A concentrations below or equal to 30 μg/dl (1.05 μmol/1) (r=+0.351, p<0.01). Conclusion: Vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia need to be urgently addressed in this shanty compound and others like it surrounding Ndola city. Supplementing breastfeeding women with vitamin A will not only reduce vitamin A deficiency, but could also help to reduce anaemia.