Extent of vitamin A deficiency among rural pregnant women in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among pregnant women in rural Bangladesh, and examine the relationship between various factors and vitamin A status. SETTING: Community Nutrition Promoter (CNP) centres in Kapasia sub-district of Gazipur district, Bangladesh. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred women, aged 18-39 years, in their second or third trimester of pregnancy were selected from seventeen CNP centres in four unions of Kapasia sub-district where they usually visit for antenatal care. Various socio-economic, personal and pregnancy-related information, dietary intake of vitamin A and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) data were collected. Serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration was determined. RESULTS: More than half (51 %) of the pregnant women had low vitamin A…