Risk factors of nutritional blindness and determinants of a successful vitamin A prophylaxis programme.

Data on 7668 children (0-72 months) and their 4621 mothers and 81 Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) collected for the USAID Assisted ICDS Evaluation Surveys were analysed. The results indicated that the major risk factors of nutritional blindness were lack of nutrition and health knowledge among mothers; presence of iron deficiency anemia in the children; and history of the child having had measles in the past one year. Mother's health and nutrition, knowledge and maternal literacy status were the determinants of the success of a vitamin A prophylaxis programme. Factors that determined AWW's performance in vitamin A supplementation were her nutrition and health knowledge, her literacy status and the amount of supervisory assistance she received from Auxillary Nurse Midwife (ANM).