Feasibility of delivering vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and deworming through routine community health services in Siaya County, Kenya

A cross‐sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID15535563
AuthorsSophie Ochola (0000-0003-0726-2428, Kenyatta University), Asa Lelei (0009-0002-7225-7852, Helen Keller International, corresponding author), Julius Korir (0000-0002-3322-2203, Kenyatta University), Caleb Ombati (Helen Keller International), Caroline Chebet (Helen Keller International), David Doledec (Helen Keller International), Fridah Mutea (Helen Keller International), Jennifer Nielsen (0000-0003-4152-8111, Helen Keller International), Solomon Ogetii Omariba (Helen Keller International), Solomon Omariba (Department of Nutrition Helen Keller International New York New York USA), Esther Njeri (Helen Keller International), Melissa M Baker (0000-0002-0103-2093, Helen Keller International)
Year2024
Volume20
Issue2
Pagese13626-e13626
Publication date2024-02-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13626
PMID38311791
OpenAlexW4391536692
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited10

Vitamin A deficiency and soil-transmitted helminth infection are serious public health problems in Kenya. The coverage of vitamin A supplementation and deworming medication (VASD) provided through mass campaigns is generally high, yet with a cost that is not sustainable, while coverage offered through routine health services is low. Alternative strategies are needed that achieve the recommended coverage of >80% of children twice annually and can be managed by health systems with limited resources. We undertook a study from September to December 2021 to compare the feasibility and coverage of VASD locally delivered by community health volunteers (CHV) ("intervention arm") to that achieved by the bi-annual Malezi Bora campaign event ("control arm"). This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in sub-counties of Siaya County using both qualitative and quantitative methods. VASD were offered through the CHS in Alego Usonga and through Malezi Bora in Bondo Sub-County. Coverage was assessed by a post-event coverage survey among caregivers of children aged 6-59 months (n = 307 intervention; n = 318 control). Key informant interviews were conducted with n = 43 personnel across both modalities, and 10 focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers of children aged 6-59 months to explore knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the two strategies. VAS coverage by CHV was 90.6% [95% CI: 87.3-93.9] compared to 70.4% [95% CI: 65.4-75.4] through the Malezi Bora, while deworming coverage was 73.9% [95% CI: 69.0-78.7] and 54.7% [95% CI: 49.2-60.2], respectively. With sufficient training and oversight, CHV can achieve superior coverage to campaigns

Cross-sectional study · Deworming · Environmental health · Family medicine · Focus group · Helminths · Intervention (counseling · Public health · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing · Parasites and Host Interactions

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