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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Rosemary Sexton, RN, MS, C-PNP, Anne B. Keith, RN, DrPH, C-PNP, Janet Z. Burson, EdD, RD, FADA, and Carol Doane, RN, MS, NP-C. College of Nursing and Health Professions, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St., P.O.Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104-9300
A community health needs assessment to assess risk of vitamin A, iron, and zinc deficiencies in the diets of young children took place in the rural Dominican Republic. Deficiencies can interfere with growth and increase vulnerability to disease. Exclusive breast-feeding of young infants and nutritionally adequate diets for pregnant women and children can reduce this risk, but these practices may not be attainable in disadvantaged regions. The project identified feeding practices and other child health factors in a sample of 22 mothers of children aged birth to 36 months. Twenty-four hour recall diet histories were analyzed for vitamin A, iron and zinc content. Additional data was gathered in a discussion group with 11 mothers. The target population was found to be at significant risk for micronutrient deficiencies of iron, zinc and, somewhat less so, vitamin A. Percent of cases in the sample population with intake below the United States RDA for vitamin A was 35%, for iron 80%, and for zinc 95%. An integrated program including promotion of exclusive breast-feeding for six months and community and family-based nutrition education is recommended in the World Health Organization "Global strategy for infant and young child feeding", 2001. Vitamin-mineral supplementation may also be an appropriate means of reducing this risk if reliable nutrition is not a realistic short-term goal. Community health promoters, nurses and nutritionists can help prevent serious health disparities by identifying and intervening in populations of children at risk for micronutrient deficiencies.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Child Health, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.