EFFECTS OF VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY AMONG PUPILS OF

FUNTUA MODEL PRIMARY SCHOOL, FUNTUA LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AREA KATSINA STATE

BY

FATIMA BELLO
HEPCD/19/006

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE CONSULTANCY SERVICES

UNIT, KANKIA IRO SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

KANKIA, KATSINA STATE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF DIPLOMA IN HEALTH EDUCATION AND

PROMOTION

MARCH, 2021
 DECLARATION

I wish to declare that this Research Project was conducted by me in the

Department of Health Educational and Promotion Consultancy Services Unit

under the supervision of Malam Sanusi Umar Radda. The information

derived from the literature was duly acknowledged in the text and a list of

references provided. No part of this project was previously presented for any

other Degree or Diploma at any Institution.

__________________________ _______________
FATIMA BELLO Date:
HEPCD/19/006

ii
 APPROVAL PAGE

This project titled “Effects of Vitamin ‘A’ Deficiency among Pupils of

Funtua Model Primary School, Funtua Local Government area Katsina

State” written by Fatima Bello meets the regulation governing award of

Diploma in Health Education and Promotion, and is approved for its

contributions to knowledge and literary presentation.

__________________________ ______________________
Project Supervisor Date
Malam Sanusi Umar Radda

__________________________ ______________________
Director, Consultancy Service Unit Date
Malam Sani Aliyu Runka

__________________________ ______________________
External Supervisor Date

iii
 DEDICATION

This research work is dedicated to my Father Alhaji Bello Abdulhamid

Funtua and my Mothers Hajiya Hauwa’u Abubakar Garba and Hajiya Aisha

Yahya and my entire families whose encouragement, support and patience

have indeed helped and motivated me to successful undertake the work to a

completion level.

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I seek the protection of Allah (SWT) against devil (Shaidan) and his act.

In the name of Allah, the most gracious the most merciful; All praises are to

Allah the lord of the world owner of the Day of Judgment, the creator of all

beings. Glory is to Allah who gave me opportunity, power, courage,

tolerance and wisdom to complete this project and my study as whole.

I also like to extend my gratitude my parents my father and my mother

whose selflessness, caring, courage and self-abnegation brought me to this

level

I will like to extend my best regard to my supervisor in person of Malam

Sanusi Umar Radda who dedicated and fervent himself, in guiding and

supervising my research work and study throughout the period of my course

may Allah reward them abundantly. Similarly, I am indebted to

acknowledge the efforts of the entire lecturers of Kankia Iro School of

Health Technology, Kankia may Allah reward them all with Jannatul

Firdausi Amen.

I also like to extend my gratitude toward my brother Umar (Hussaini) and

my sister Husna (Hassana) and the rest of my family members, friends at

home and at school for their contributions as well.

v
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page i

Declaration ii

Approval Sheet iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of Contents vi

Abstract viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Background of the Study 1
1.3 Statement of the Problem 3
1.4 Purpose/Objectives of the Study 4
1.5 Significance of the Study 4
1.6 Research Question/Hypothesis 5
1.6.1 Research Hypothesis 5

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study 6

1.8 Definition of Terms 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction 8
2.2 Literature Review 8
2.3 Vitamin A 11
2.4 Sources of Vitamin A 14
2.5 Functions of Vitamin A 14
2.6 Vitamin A Deficiency 15
vi
2.7 Causes of Vitamin A Deficiency 17
2.8 Clinical Features of Vitamin A Deficiency 17
2.9 Treatment of Vitamin A Deficiency 18
2.10 Prevention of Vitamin A Deficiency 19

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 22
3.2 Research Design 22
3.3 Area the Study 26
3.4 Population 26
3.5 Sample and Sampling Techniques 27
3.6 Instrument Used for Data Analysis 27
3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 28
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 28
3.9 Pilot Testing 28
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION
4.1 Introduction 29
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 29
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction 38
5.2 Summary 38
5.3 Conclusion/Findings 40
5.4 Recommendations/Implications 41
5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies 42
References 43
Appendix 44
vii
 ABSTRACT

Vitamin ‘A’ is a one of the most important vitamins which plays a vital role
in normal vision. This is aimed to find out the causes of vitamin ‘A’
deficiency among children; to find out the measures of preventing and
controlling vitamin ‘A’ deficiency and also to health educate people on
important of giving the children vitamin ‘A’ in their meals. The main scope
of the research project is limited only to the effects of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency
among pupils of Funtua Model primary School, Funtua Local Government
Area Katsina State. The research method adopted was descriptive research
method and Questionnaire was used in the research work for uniform data
collection. The research findings which were obtained through the method
of data collection applied showed that the majority of the respondents
representing 98% are agreed the vitamin ‘A’ can help in growth and
development of the children; However, as regards to the awareness and
knowledge of the respondents 86% strongly agreed that immunization and
supplementation of vitamin ‘A’ can prevent vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. The
study has also found most of the respondents accounting 91.8% agreed that
vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is a major cause of non-accidental blindness and also
another finding showed that few of the respondents representing 6.2%
disagreed that vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is a major cause of non-accidental
blindness.

viii
 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION:

The chapter contained: Background of the study, statement of the problem,

purpose/objective of the study, significance of the study, Research questions,

Research hypothesis, scope and Delimitation of the study and Definition of

terms.

1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

Vitamin ‘A’ is a one of the most important vitamins which plays a vital role in

normal vision. It is found in the normal pigment. It is essential component of

the two distinct photoreceptor systems that is rods and cones (Burton 1913.)

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency constitute one of the major public health problem

in developing countries, worldwide, vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is the leading cause

of non accidental blindness. Children from impoverished nation in Africa,

Asia, and South America are especially susceptible because their inadequate

intake and diminished store of vitamin ‘A’ fails growth. Among the world’s

most destitute nation, hundreds of thousands of children become blind each

year because they lack vitamin ‘A’. Currently, vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is

estimated to result in 250,000 to 500,000 cases.

Mended, et-al (1973) demonstrated that, the rate of developing eye irritation

and growth failure occur when there is vitamin ‘A’ deficiency.

1
To remedy the situation, the Nigerian Government in collaboration with

International Organization and Non-governmental Organization (NGOs)

UNICEF, UNDP and Rotary International etc. introduced national House to

House immunization where vitamin ‘A’ is given to children to prevent child

blindness and other associated diseases in children.

A variety of strategies here been developed to improve that programme, but

unfortunately the programme was hindered by poor strategy in community

mobilization and enlightenment on the importance of the exercise. However,

with the implementation of modern method of logistics through media, vitamin

‘A’ deficiency gradually reduced throughout the country.

In 1985 (W.H.O) World Health Organization coordinated a 10-years plan of

action for the prevention and control of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. The overall

strategy included long-term measure and short-term measures. Long-term

measures are those designed primarily to increase the availability and

consumption of vitamin ‘A’ fortified foods. While short-term measures are

employed until food fortification has solved the problem and it included the

administration of vitamin ‘A’ supplements, most of them in high doses.

Consideration for plan of action was provided by the world summit for children

held at the United Nations in New York in September, 2000 where 71 Heads of

state and 88 other senior Government officials committed their Government to

2
overcome the worst forms of malnutrition, including elimination of vitamin ‘A’

deficiency and consequences by the year 2015.

The research topic was aimed to study/investigate the effects of vitamin ‘A’

deficiency among primary school pupils in Funtua Model primary school,

Funtua Local Government Area, Katsina State. Moreover, effects have been

made to highlight how important the vitamin ‘A’ was especially in regeneration

of visual purple to retina, and also maintenance of epithelial tissue. Again, some

of the diseases associated with the deficiencies of that vitamin were reviewed

as: Night blindness, xerophthalmia, kerotomaleacia, follicular kerotosis, and

even complete blindness.

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

This research work is based on information from the area of the study, that is

Funtua Central primary school, on the effect of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency among

primary school pupils which is a major problem in Funtua because there are

people that have low socio-economic status and hence they cannot provide their

families with adequate diet. Ignorance is indisputable the determinant of many

health problems. So for vitamin ‘A’ deficiency it was also identified to play

significance role in predisposing primary school pupils to have such problem,

as some families in general have little knowledge about the proper diet to be

3
taken, rather they consumed stable foods always which are deficient in many

valuable nutrients like vitamin ‘A’.

Sequel to the above that is low socio-economic status and ignorance which are

the main determinants of malnutrition among children of the area thereby

leading to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency, as it was believed to be the disease of

poverty. That was why I choose the topic.

Furthermore, culture and customs as well as taboos/superstition also played a

significant role in the prevalence of the problem in the area of study. As some

cultures and traditions deprived children from eating certain valuable food

items, for example, eggs, meat etc.

1.4 PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

a. To find out the causes of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency among children in the

area of the study.

b. To find out the measures of preventing and controlling vitamin ‘A’

deficiency among primary school pupils.

c. To health educate people on important of giving the children vitamin ‘A’

in their meals.

d. To recommend to the government the possible ways of solving such

problem in the community.

4
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The research work on this topic would be significant in the following areas:-

a. It would help on finding out the actual factors associated with the

prevention of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency among primary school pupils.

b. It would also serve as a basis for public enlightenment on prevention of

blindness from the vitamin ‘A’ deficiency.

c. It would also play a central role in arousing the interest of policy makers

in planning on child health especially prevention and control of micro-

nutrient deficiency.

d. It would provide the basis for further research for any students who want

to carry a research on the topic.

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHSES:

a. Can inadequate diet lead to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

b. What group of people in the community has a high risk of developing

vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

c. Is there any connection between culture, tradition, beliefs, taboos and

vitamin ‘A’ deficiency among children?

d. Did over cooking of food which contains vitamin ‘A’ lead to the

destruction of vitamin ‘A’?

5
1.6.1 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:

a. Inadequate diet lead to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency

b. Are washing of vegetables which contain vitamin ‘A’ lead to the loosing

of vitamin ‘A’ contains in the food.

1.7 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY:

The main scope of the research project is limited only to the effects of vitamin

‘A’ deficiency among pupils of Funtua Model primary School, Funtua Local

Government Area Katsina State. This research topic is not aimed at studying

other forms of micronutrient deficiencies. Also, it involved only primary school

pupils that are most vulnerable to the disease.

The researcher limited himself to this topic and this very area due to some

problem ranging from financial constraints, time factors and transportation

problems. So it was hoped that other researchers would cover the effects of

other vitamins deficiencies.

6
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

 FOOD: Food is one of the basic needs of man and indeed of all living
things. It is required for growth and replacement of worm out or
broken tissue and also for the production of energy for various body
functions.
 BALANCE DIET: Is the food that contain correct proportion of all nutrients
that is vitamin, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, chlorine, sulphur,
magnesium, and other trace element and dietary fibre, as well as water,
carbohydrates, and fat (which provide energy) and proteins require for growth
and maintenance.
 MALNUTRITION: Is the condition caused by a improper balance between
what an individual eats and what he requires to maintain health.
 VITAMINS: Are essential organic food factors required for normal growth
and development, building of resistance to infectious and maintenance of the
integrity and normal function of various system of the body.
 DEFICIENCY DISEASE: Any disease caused by the lack of an
essential nutrient in the diets. Example vitamin essential amino acid
and fatty acid.
 BLINDNESS: Is the visual acuity of less 3/60 in better eye with best
correction (Oladipo 2011).
 RODS: Is a photoreceptor in the retina that control the day vision
 CONES: Is a photoreceptor in the retina that control the day vision
 KERATOMALACIA: Softening of the cornea of the eye leading to
blindness.
 XEROPHTHALMIA:- Dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva
 FOLLICULAR KEROTOSIS:- Skin condition characterized by
dryness of the skin.
7
 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 INTRODUCTION:

The chapter contained Literature review, vitamin ‘A’, role of vitamin ‘A’ in the

body, vitamin ‘A’ in vision, source of vitamin ‘A’, function of vitamin ‘A’,

vitamin ‘A’ deficiency, causes of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency, clinical features of

vitamin ‘A’ deficiency, prevention and control of vitamin deficiency, dietary

control and contribution factors.

2.2 LITERATURE REVIEW:

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is estimated to affect approximately one third of

children under the age of 12 years of age around the World. It is estimated to

claim the lives of 670,000 children under twelve (12) years annually.

Approximately 250,000 – 500,000 children in developing countries become

blind each year owing to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency with the highest prevalence in

South East Asia and Africa (National Institution of Health. Retrieved, 2008)

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency can occur as either a primary vitamin ‘A’ deficiency or

secondary deficiency. A primary vitamin ‘A’ deficiency occurs among children

and adults who do not consume and adequate intake of vitamin ‘A’ carotenoids

from fruits and vegetables. A secondary deficiency is associated with chronic

mal-absorption of lipids, impaired bile production and release, and chronic

8
exposure to oxidants, such as cigarette smoke and chronic alcoholism. (Combs,

Gerald. 2008).

Vitamin ‘A’ is a fat soluble vitamin and depends on micelle solubilization for

depression into the small intestine, which result inpoor use of vitamin ‘A’ from

low fat diets. World Health organization (WHO), (Global prevalence of vitamin

‘A’ deficiency in population at risk 1995-2012).

Due to the unique function of retinol as a visual chromophore, one of the

earliest and specific manifestations of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is impaired vision,

particularly in reduce light-night blindness persistent deficiency gives rises to a

series of changes, the most devastating which occur in the eye. Some other

ocular changes are referred to as xerophthalmia. First there is dryness of the

conjunctiva (xerosis) as the normal lacrimal and mucus-secreting epithelium.

This is followed by the blind up of keratin plaques (Bitots spots) and eventually

erosion of roughened corneal surface with softening and destruction of the

cornea (Keratomalacia) and total blindness. (Roncone P.D, 2006)

“Xeropthalmia secondary to alcohol – induce malnutrition” optometry (St.

Louis, mo).

Excess vitamin ‘A’ which is most common in high dose vitamin supplement

can cause birth defects and there should exceed recommended daily values.

(Moore, T. Holmes P.D, 1971). Vitamin ‘A’ metabolic inhibition as a result of

9
alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the elucidated mechanism for fetal

alcohol syndrome and is characterized by teratogenicity closely matching

maternal vitamin ‘A’ deficiency (American Journal of clinical Nutrition, June,

2009).

Global effort to support national governments in addressing vitamin ‘A’

deficiency are led by the Global Alliance for vitamin ‘A’ (GAVA), which is an

informal partnership between A22, the Canadian, International Development

Agency, Helen Keller international, the micronutrient initiative, United nation

International children and emergency Fund (UNICEF), United State Agency for

International Development (USAID), and the World Bank. Joint a GAVA

Activity is coordinated by micronutrient initiative. While strategies include

intake of vitamin ‘A’ through a combination of breastfeeding and dietary intake

delivery of oral high-dose supplements remain the principle strategy for

minimizing deficiency. A meta analysis studies showed that vitamin ‘A’

supplementation of children under five who are at risk of deficiency reduce

24% About 75% of the vitamin ‘A’ required for supplementation activity by

developing countries is supplied by the micronutrient initiative with support

from the Canadian international Agency food fortification approach are

becoming increasingly feasible but cannot yet ensure coverage levels. The

world health organization has averted 1.25 million deaths due to vitamin ‘A’

10
deficiency in 40 countries since 1998. (Rosen Bloom, Mark.Emedicine). Since

vitamin ‘A’ is fat soluble, disposing of any excess taken in through diet takes

much longer then with water soluble B vitamin and vitamin C. this allows for

toxic levels of vitamin ‘A’ to accumulate. (penniston, Kristina L.

Tanumihardjo, Sherry A. (2006) chronic toxic effect of vitamin A).Much of the

early research work was concerned with dietary factors which will prevent

classical deficiencies like night blindness, for vitamin ‘A’; Rickets vitamin D;

Scurvy for vitamin C; and beriberi for vitamin B 3. All of the above, used to

accompany meris existences for a long period on a limited or artificially altered

diet.

More knowledge of vitamin action was later obtained from annual experiment

with purified diets to which specific nutrient were obtained in a search of

“vitamin rates”. The most significant attainment of modern research in this field

is the clinical identification and synthesis of vitamin and recognition of their

specific distinct, bio-chemical rates in human metabolism (Burtom, 1943).

2.3 VITAMIN A:

Vitamin ‘A’ (or vitamin ‘A’ Retinol, retinal, and four carotenoids including

beta carotene) is a vitamin that is needed by the retina of the eye in the form of

a specific metabolite the light absorbing molecule retinal that is necessary for

both low light (scotopic vision) and colour vision. Vitamin ‘A’ also functions in
11
a very different role as an irreversibly oxidized form of retinol know as an

retinoic acid which is an important hormones – like growth factor epithelial and

other cells. (Vitamin ‘A’ News medical Retrieved 1st May, 2012).

As a result of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency night blindness develops. Bone growth

involves a process of remodeling that reshapes and enlarges the skeleton.

Reshaping requires vitamin ‘A’ to undo existing bones. Vitamin ‘A’ maintains

integrity of epithelial tissue throughout the body, providing protection against

infection and assuring optimum function. Hormone life effect of vitamin ‘A’

appears to be tied to cell synthesis for reproductive purpose (Grodner, et al,

2000).

2.3.1 ROLE OF VITAMIN ‘A’ IN THE BODY:

Vitamin ‘A’ plays a role in a variety of functions throughout the body, such as:-

 Vision
 Gene transcription
 Immune function
 Embroyonic development
 Bone metabolism
 Haemotopoiesis
 Skin and cellular health
 Antioxidant activity.

VISION: The role of vitamin ‘A’ in the visual cycle is specifically related to

the retinal form within the eye 11-cis-retinal is bound to rhodopsin (rods)
12
and idopsin (cones) at conserved lysine residues. As light enters the eye, the

11-cis-retinal is isomerizes to the all – “trans” form. The all – “trans” retinal

dissociated from the opsin in a series of steps called photo bleeding. (Mc

cure, Michelle; Beerman, Kathy A., 2007) Nutritional science: from

fundamental food Belmount, CA:)

GENE TRANSCRIPTION:

Vitamin ‘A’ in the retinoid acid form, plays an important roles in gene

transcription. Once retinol has been taken up by a cell, it can be oxidized to

retinal (retinaldehydrate) by retinol dehydrogenase and then

retinaldehydrade can be oxidized to retinoic acid by retinaldehyde

dehydrogenase. The conversion of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid is an

irreversible step, meaning that the production of retinoic acid is tightly

regulated, due to its activity as lig and for nuclear receptors the physiological

form of retinoic acid (all-trans-retinoic acid) regulate gene transcription by

building to nuclear receptors know as retinoic acid receptors (RARS) which

are bound to DNA (stipunak, Martha H. 2006).

2.3.2 VITAMIN ‘A’ IN VISION:

Vitamin ‘A’ has several functions in the body. The most well known is its

role in vision – hence carrots “make you able to see in the dark”. The retinol

is oxidized to its aldehyde, retinal, which complexes with a molecule in the

13
eye called opsin. When a photo of light hits the complex, the retinal changes

from 11 – cis form to the all-trans form, initiating a chain of events which

results in the transmission of an impulse up the optic nerve.

2.4 SOURCES OF VITAMIN ‘A’

Preformed vitamin ‘A’ is found in dark green and yellow vegetables and

yellow fruits, such as broccoli spinach, turnip greens, carrots, squash, sweet

potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and apricots and in Animal sources such as

liver, milk, butter, cheese, and whole eggs. Concentrations of preformed

vitamin ‘A’ are highest in liver and fish oils. Other sources of preformed

vitamin ‘A’ comes from leafy green, vegetable, orange and yellow

vegetables, tomato products, fruits and some vegetable oils. The top food

sources of vitamin ‘A’ in the United state (U.S).

2.5 FUNCTION OF VITAMIN’A’

The most important functions of vitamin ‘A’ includes proper vision,

preventing of night blindness, proper new cell growth, hair and associated

health problems or deficiencies such as xerophthalmia, kerotomalacia, poor

normal growth and skin disorder etc.

There are many different functions of vitamin ‘A’ include:-

14
 i. Vitamin ‘A’ reduces the complication of nutritional diseases like

kwashiorkor and marasmus.

ii. It helps in generating body growth.

iii. Helps the digestive, respiratory tract and cornea of the eye to resist

infection.

iv. Also for proper intake of vitamin ‘A’ reduces the complication of

childhood diseases e.g. measles and whooping cough.

v. Vitamin ‘A’ also prevents children from skin disorder.

vi. It prevents children from xerophthalmia (dryness of the cornea)

vii. It assists in normal vision and prevention of night blindness

viii. Vitamin ‘A’ is an accessory factor for normal body maintenance.

2.6 VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY:

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency exist when the chronic failure to eat sufficient

amounts of vitamin ‘A’ or beta-carotene results levels of blood serum,

vitamin ‘A’ that are below a defined range. Beta-carotene is a form of pre-

vitamin ‘A’ which is readily converted to vitamin ‘A’ in the body – Night

blindness is the first symptoms of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. Prolonged and

severe deficiency of vitamin ‘A’ can produce total and irreversible blindness

(McGraw, 2013).

15
Vitamin ‘A’ status depends mostly on independency of vitamin ‘A’ stores,

90 percent of which are in the liver. Vitamin ‘A’ status also depends on a

person’s protein status because retinol blinding protein serve as the vitamin

transport carriers inside the body.

If a person is to stop eating food containing vitamin ‘A’, deficiency

symptom would not begin to appear until after store depleted one to two

years for a healthy adult but much sooner for a growing child. Then the

consequences would be profound and become severe. Vitamin ‘A’

deficiency is uncommon in the United States but it is one of the Developing

World’s major nutritional problems.

More than 100 million children worldwide have some degree of vitamin ‘A’

deficiency and thus, are vulnerable to infectious diseases and blindness.

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is classified as:

i. Sub-clinical when serum retinol level is <0.7 primal and immunity

and other physiological processes and impaired.

ii. Clinical where there are ocular sigh collectively called xerophthalmia

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency makes children vulnerable to worsens, many

infections particularly diarrhoea, measles retarded growth and leading cause

of blindness in young children. Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency contributes

16
significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality and may play a role in the

development of iron deficiency anaemia.

2.7 CAUSES OF VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY:

The major causes of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is diets which include few

animals sources of pre-found vitamin ‘A’. Breast milk of lactating mother

with vitamin ‘A’ deficiency containing little vitamin ‘A’, which provides a

breast fed child with too little vitamin ‘A’. (Sltop, 2008).

In addition to dietary problems there are other causes of vitamin ‘A’

deficiency. Iron deficiency can affect vitamin ‘A’ uptake. Excess alcohol

consumption can deplete vitamin ‘A’ and a stressed liver may be more

susceptible to vitamin ‘A’ toxicity. People who consume large amount of

alcohol should seek medical advice before taking vitamin ‘A’ supplements.

In general, people should seek medical advice before taking vitamin ‘A’

supplements if they have any associated with fat mal-absorption such as:

pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, tropical suprive and biliary obstruction.

2.8 CLINICAL FEATURES OF VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY:

The most common cause of blindness in developing countries is vitamin ‘A’

deficiency (VAD). The world Health Organization (WHO) estimates 13.8

million children to have some degree of visual loss related to VAD. Night

17
 blindness and it worsened condition xerophthalmia are markers of VAD, as

VAD can also lead to impaired immune function, cancer and birth defects.

Night blindness is the difficulty for eyes to adjust to dim light. Affected

individuals are unable to distinguish images in low levels of illumination.

People with night blindness have poor vision in the darkness, but see

normally when adequate is present.

VAD affect vision by inhibiting the production of rhodopsin, the eye

pigment, responsible for sensing low light situations. Rhodopsin is found in

the retina and is composed of retinal (an active form of vitamin ‘A’) and

opsin (a protein). Because the body cannot create retinal insufficient

amounts, a diet low in vitamin ‘A’ will lead to a decreased amount of

rhodopsin in the eye, as there is inadequate retinal to bind with opsin, night

blindness results.

2.9 TREATMENT OF VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY:

Treatment of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency can be undertaken with both oral and

Injectable forms, generally vitamin ‘A’ palmitate.

i. As an oral form, the supplementation of vitamin ‘A’ is effective for

lowering the risk of mortality, especially from severe diarrhoea and

reducing mortality from measles and all cause mortality. The studies has

18
 shown that vitamin ‘A’ supplementation to children 6-12 years who are

at risk of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency can reduce all cause mortality by 23%

(Geueva, 1993).

ii. Food fortification is also useful for improving vitamin ‘A’ deficiency ‘A’

variety of oily and dry forms of the retinol esters, retinal acetates and

retina palmitate are available for food fortification of vitamin ‘A’.

Margarine and oil are the ideal food vehicles for vitamin ‘A’ fortification.

They protect vitamin ‘A’ from oxidation during storage and prompt

absorption of vitamin ‘A’. Carotene and retinal palmitate are used as a

form of vitamin ‘A’ for vitamin ‘A’ fortification of fat based foods.

iii. Dietary diversification can also control vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. Non-

animal sources of vitamin ‘A’ which contain pre-formed vitamin ‘A’

account for greater than 80% of intake for most individuals in the

developing world. The increase in consumption of vitamin ‘A’ rich foods

of animal – origin in addition to fruit and vegetables has beneficial

effects on vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. (Childinfo.org).

2.10 PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF VITAMIN ‘A’

DEFICIENCY:

Prevention and control of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency can be achieved in two (2)

phases:

19
2.10.1 DIETARY CONTROL:

Improvement of the people’s diet so as to ensure a regular and adequate

intake of foods rich in vitamin ‘A’; Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency can be prevented

through an improvement in the population dietary intake of retinol or

betecorene, this may require change in food habits, by greater production or

mass production of carotene rich foods. The health team should make

awareness the public on the importance of vitamin ‘A’ intake through foods,

such as; palm oil, oranges, fruits, vegetable, dark green leaves, milk and egg

yolk etc.

Programme for the prevention of blindness are being implemented in

developing countries and are focusing on the prevention of blindness

including kerotomalacia.

Those programmes are usually linked to or are part of the primary health

care system as such exists. They can facilitate the regular delivery of vitamin

‘A’ to children particularly as such people are at high risk of trachoma and

blindness.

2.10.2 CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:

Reducing the frequency and severity contributing factors e.g. respiratory

tract infections, Diarrhoea and measles. All are long term measures

20
involving intensive nutrition education of public and community

participation. Since vitamin ‘A’ can be stored in the body for 6–9 months

and liberated. Slowly, a short term, simple technology had been resolved by

the National Institution of Nutrition at Hyderabad (India) for community –

based intervention against nutritional blindness, which has subsequently

been adopted by other countries.

The strategy is to administer a single massive dose of 200,000 I.U

(International Unit) of vitamin ‘A’ in oil (retinol palmlate) orally every 6

months to pre-school children 1 – 6 years, and half that dose 100,000 I.U to

children between 6 months and one year of age. In this way the child would

be as if were “Immunized” against xerophthalmia. The protection afforded

by six monthly soding seems every adequate as measured by clinical signs

of deficiency. In a longitudinal study, the incidence of kerotomalacia areas

covered by the programme decreased by about 30 percent. (Grodner, 2000).

21
 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 INTRODUCTION:

The chapter contained: Research methodology, Research design, Area of the

study, population, Sample and sampling technique, Instrument for data

collection, method of data collection, validity and reliability, method of data

analysis and pilot test of instrument.

3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN:

The research methods adopted for the research work was descriptive, non-

experimented method of research, so as to determine the effect of vitamin

‘A’ deficiency among Funtua Model Primary School pupils. The descriptive

approach of research involved systemic collection of data, through a well

structured questionnaire. Statistical procedure variables were well analyzed

and conclusions were also drawn.

3.3 AREA OF THE STUDY:

Funtua is a Local Government Area in Katsina State, Nigeria. Its

headquarters is in the town of Funtua on the A126 highway. It is one of the

premier Local Governments in Nigeria created after the Local Governments

reforms in 1976. It is the headquarters of the Katsina South senatorial

district, which comprises eleven Local Governments: Bakori, Danja,

22
Dandume, Faskari, Sabuwa, Kankara, Malumfashi, Kafur, Musawa, Matazu

and Funtua.

Funtua has a conducive weather condition as it lies on the latitude and

longitude 11°32′N and 7°19′E respectively. The city has an average

temperature of 320C and humidity of 44%.

It has an area of 448 km² and a population of (225,571 at the 2006 census)

and 570, 110 according to 2016 estimate. The Chairman is the official Head

of Local Government. The inhabitants of the local government are

predominantly Fulani, Their main occupations are trading, farming, and

animal rearing. Funtua is in the southern extreme end of Katsina State. It is

the second largest city in the state after Katsina. It borders with Giwa Local

Government of Kaduna State to the south, Bakori to the east, Danja to the

southeast, Faskari to the Northwest, and Dandume to the West.

The postal code of the area is 830. The source of the Sokoto River is located

near Funtua.

Commerce and Industry

Funtua has been an industrial and commercial centre since colonial days,

presently it houses most of industries in the state. viz: Funtua Textiles

Limited, Jargaba Agric Processing Company that majored in oil mills,

23
animal feeds etc., Northern Diaries, Funtua Burnt Bricks, Funtua Fertilizer

Blending Company, West African Cotton Company, Lumus Cotton Ginnery,

Integrated Flour Mills, Funtua Bottling Company, Salama Rice Mills etc.

Transport

Funtua is served by a railway station on a branch on the western line of the

national railway network and 4 major Federal Highways: Funtua-Birnin

Gwari-Lagos Road, Funtua -Zamfara-Sokoto-Kebbi Road, Funtua-Yashe

Road, and Funtua-Zaria Road, Funtua-Bakori-malunfashi-Dayi Road

Educational Institutions

Funtua currently has higher education institutions which accommodate

students from all over the country, one is a remedial school known as

Ahmadu Bello University School of Basic and Remedial Studies (SBRS),

Funtua, which accommodates students from all (nineteen) 19 northern states

of Nigeria, secondly it has three health technology colleges known as

Muslim Community College of Health Science & Technology Funtua,

College of Health and Environmental Sciences Funtua and Funtua

Community College of Health Sciences and Technology. Another Diploma

awarding institution is Abdullahi Aminchi College of Advanced Studies

Funtua which is registered to award Diploma certificates as it is affiliated to

24
ABU Zaria, Imam Saidu College of Education, which awards NCE. Also

Funtua housed a popular certificate awarding institution now preparing to

start awarding Diploma known as College of Administration, Funtua.

Electricity and Water Supply

Funtua is served by 132KV transmission station of National Grid that comes

from Mando receiving Station via Zaria and from there it extends to Gusau

and terminates at Talata Mafara. It is important to note that the 132kv/33kv

Transmission Station in Funtua is serving 9 Local Government areas out of

the 11 Area Councils that make up of Funtua Senatorial District. While

erratic power supply is a nationwide phenomenon, Funtua is not having such

problem much because the town enjoys electricity for good 12–20 hours

daily. So any interested investor can come and invest.

As for Water Supply; Funtua is blessed with 2 dams, namely; Mairuwa and

Gwagwaye that served the city and some parts of Faskari and Bakori Area

councils.

The 2 water bodies can be utilized for other things such as irrigation and

hydro-power generation. Also, there is A Songhai farm which is used for

Training and cultivation of some farm products.

25
Funtua Inland Container Dry Port

Following the decision of the Federal Government to decongest our seaports,

6 dry ports were established in the country by the Obasanjo administration in

the 2006, in which Funtua is among the host. presently the work is in

progress at the site and when completed, the dry port would provide job

opportunities as well as revenue to the government.

3.4 POPULATION:

Like other local government in the federation Funtua Local Government

based on the national population Commission have about (225,571) people

in the 2006 Census. However the people living within Funtua local

government are mostly Hausa and Fulani which covered about 99% of the

population and Igbo, Yoruba and other tribes covered only of the population.

The local government consist (5) secondary schools, (52) Primary schools

and (1) Tertiary institution i.e. Business Apprenticeship training Centre

(B.A.T.C).

3.5 SAMPLING AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES:

In this research study, questionnaires were used to get all the necessary

information needed among the respondents.

26
 Fifty (50) questionnaires were distributed to the respondents by random

sampling. Simple random sampling is used because in this sampling method

every subject has an equal chance of being selected and there is no bias in

this method.

3.6 INSTRUMENT USED FOR DATA COLLECTION:

Data was collected from the respondents after a period of three days from

the day that the questionnaires were distributed the questionnaire in well

structured, comprising 18 sources of questions that are close-ended and

interviewer, administered due to some terminologies that need adequate

interpretation.

The Questionnaires were also used in the research work for uniform data

collection and they were developed in this form.

i. Section ‘A’ which consisted of Bio-data

ii. Section ‘B’ which consisted of closed ended and opened ended questions

of Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Strongly Disagreed and Disagreed.

3.7 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION:

The researcher distributed the structured questionnaire in (3) days after

which the researcher followed up and collected the filled questionnaires by

the respondents. Those that are illiterate were interviewed by the interviewer

27
and filled in the responses as they answered. All the respondents were fully

formed on the purpose of the study through careful explanation by the

researcher and a Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) and Junior

Community Health Extension Worker (JCHEW) offered voluntary

assistance to the researcher.

3.8 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT:

The questionnaire (Instrument) was validated after being subjected to

various screening by my colleagues as well as my project supervisor.

3.9 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS:

Simple frequency table and percentage were used to analyze the data.

Simple statistical test were used to bring out the relationships among the

table by comparing the percentages. This is done in chapter four (4).

3.10 PILOT TEST OF THE INSTRUMENT:

A pilot study was carried out at Mairuwa and Gwagwaye ward, Funtua

Local Government Area, using to subjects which were administered through

the questionnaire. The questionnaires were collected and analyzed for the

purpose of the study.

28
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 INTRODUCTION:

This chapter dealt with how data was collected analyzed and presented in

tables using percentages. 17 questions were printed and 55 copies were

distributed. Out of the 55 copies distributed 49 copies were filled and

returned to the researcher.

4.2 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS:

4.2.1 SECTION ‘A’ BIO DATA:

TABLE 1: AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS:

S/NO Age Respondents Percentage (%)

1 15 – 25 years 3 6%
2 26 – 35 years 17 34%
3 36 – 45 years 13 27%
4 46 and above years 16 33%
Total 49 100%

The above showed that 3 respondents, representing 6% are within the age of

15 – 25 years, 26 – 35 years are 17 in number representing 34%, 13

respondents are between 36 -45 years representing 27% and 46 years and

above are 16 in number, representing 33 %. Therefore, 34% was the highest

number among the respondents.

29
This indicated that most of the respondents are in the age range of 26 -35

years.

TABLE 2: SEX

S/NO Sex Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Male 39 80%
2 Female 10 20%
Total 49 100%

The above table indicated that 39 respondents are males representing 80%

and 10 respondents are females representing 20%.

TABLE 3: MARITAL STATUS:

S/NO Marital Status Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Single 12 24%
2 Married 35 72%
3 Widowed 1 2%
4 Divorced 1 2%
Total 49 100%

The table above showed that 12 respondents representing 24% are single, 35

respondents representing 72% are married while widowed is 1 respondent,

representing 2% and Divorced is also 1 respondent representing 2%. This

showed that most of the respondents are married.

TABLE 4: TRIBE

30
 S/NO Tribe Respondents Percentage (%)
1 Hausa/Fulani 45 92%
2 Yoruba 3 6%
3 Igbo 0 0%
4 Others 1 2%
Total 49 100%

In the above table, 45 respondents are Hausa/Fulani representing 92%, 3

respondents are Yoruba representing 6% and there is no Igbo among the

respondents, while only 1 respondents belong to other tribes representing

2%. This table showed that most of the respondents are Hausa/Fulani.

TABLE 5: RELIGION:

Religion Respondents Percentage (%)

S/NO
1 Islam 47 96%
2 Christianity 2 4%
3 Other 0 0%
Total 49 100%

The table above showed that 47 respondents are Muslims representing 96%,

while 2 respondents representing 4% are Christians and not any respondent

belonging to other religion. The table showed that most of the respondents

are Muslims.

TABLE 6: HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE

RESPONDENTS.

S/NO Educ. Qualification Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Primary Education 0 0%
2 Secondary Education 8 16%
31
 3 Tertiary Education 41 86%
Total 49 100%

The table above showed that not any respondents representing 0% had

primary certificate as highest qualification, then 8 respondents, representing

16% have secondary certificate and 41 respondents, representing 84% are

having tertiary certificates. This showed that most of the respondents have

tertiary certificates.

TABLE 7: OCCUPATION OF THE RESPONDENTS:

Occupation Respondents Percentage (%)

S/NO
1 Housewife 2 4%
2 Civil servant 20 41%
3 Business 17 35%
4 Farmer 10 20%
Total 49 100%

The table above showed that 2 respondents are Housewives representing 4%,

20 respondents are civil servants representing 41%, Business has 17

respondents representing 35% and farmers are 10 respondents representing

20%. This showed that the majority of the respondents are civil servants.

2.2.1 SECTION ‘B’ MAIN RESEARCH QUESTIONS: TABLE 8:

DOES CULTURE AND TABOOS CONTRIBUTE TO VITAMIN ‘A’
DEFICIENCY?

S/NO Responses Responses Percentage (%)

1 Strongly Agreed 10 20.4%
2 Agreed 30 61.2%
3 Strongly Disagreed 0 0%
4 Disagreed 9 18.4%
32
 Total 49 100%

The above table indicated that 10 respondents representing 20.4% are

strongly agreed, 30 respondents representing 61.2% are Agreed, then there is

no any respondent representing 0% strongly disagreed and 9 respondents

representing 18.4% are disagreed. This table showed that majority of the

respondents agreed that culture and taboos contribute to vitamin ‘A’

deficiency representing 61.2%.

TABLE 9: DO YOU KNOW THAT XEROPHTHALMIA,

KERATOMALACIA, NIGHT BLINDNESS ARE AMONG SIGNS OF
VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY?

S/NO Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Strongly Agreed 3 6%
2 Agreed 41 84%
3 Strongly Disagreed 1 2%
4 Disagreed 4 8%
Total 49 100%

The above table showed that 3 respondents are strongly agreed representing

6%, 41 respondents are agreed representing 48%, 1 is strongly disagreed

representing 2% and 4 respondents are disagreed representing 8%. This

showed that most of the respondents are agreed representing 84%.

TABLE 10: THE COMPLICATION OF VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY

IS BLINDNESS, DO YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT.

S/NO Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

33
 1 Strongly Agreed 25 51%
2 Agreed 10 20.4%
3 Strongly Disagreed 10 20.4%
4 Disagreed 4 8.2%
Total 49 100%

The above table showed that 25 respondents are strongly agreed representing

51% representing, 10 respondents are agreed representing 20.4% and also

strongly disagree are 10 respondents representing 20.4% then 4 respondents

Disagreed representing 8.2%. This indicated that majority of the respondents

are strongly agreed representing 51%.

TABLE 11: OVER COOKING OF FOOD CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF

VALUEBLE NUTRIENTS CONTAINED IN THE FOOD, DO YOU
AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT:

S/NO Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Strongly Agreed 5 10%
2 Agreed 4 8%
3 Strongly 40 82%
Disagreed
4 Disagreed 0 0%
Total 49 100%

The above table showed that 5 respondents representing 10% are strongly

agreed, 4 respondents representing 8% are agreed and 4 respondents

representing 82% are strongly disagreed, while not any respondents

representing 0% Disagreed. This showed that majority of respondents are

strongly disagreed that over cooking of food can lead loss of valuable

nutrients.
34
TABLE 12: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY
IS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF NON-ACCIDENTAL BLINDNESS?

S/NO Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Strongly Agreed 0 0%
2 Agreed 45 91.8%
3 Strongly Disagreed 1 2%
4 Disagreed 3 6.2%
Total 49 100%

The table above showed that not any respondents representing 0% are

strongly agreed, 45 respondents representing 91.8% are agreed, 1 respondent

representing 2% are strongly disagreed and 3 respondents representing 6.2%

Disagreed. This showed that most of respondents are agreed representing

91.8%.

TABLE 13: ARE PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN REGARDED AS HIGH

RISK GROUP FOR DEVELOPING VITAMIN ‘A’ DEFICIENCY?

S/NO Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Strongly Agreed 35 71.4%
2 Agreed 10 20.4%
3 Strongly Disagreed 3 6.2%
4 Disagreed 1 2%
Total 49 100%

The table above showed that 35 respondents representing 71.4% are strongly

agreed, 10 respondents representing 20.4% are agreed, 3 respondents

representing 6.2% are strongly disagreed and 1 respondent is disagreed with

the statement. This indicated that the majority of the respondents are

strongly agreed representing 71.4%.

35
TABLE 14: DO YOU KNOW THAT IMMUNIZATION AND
SUPPLEMENTATION CAN PREVENT VITAMIN ‘A’
DEFICIENCY?

S/NO Responses Respondents Percentage (%)

1 Strongly Agreed 42 81%
2 Agreed 4 8%
3 Strongly 0 0%
Disagreed
4 Disagreed 3 6%
Total 49 100%

The above table showed that 42 respondents representing 81% are strongly

agreed, 4 respondents representing 8% are agreed, while not any respondent

representing 0% strongly disagreed and 3 respondents representing 6% are

Disagreed. This showed that the majority of the respondents are strongly

agreed that immunization and supplementation can prevent vitamin ‘A’

deficiency.

TABLE 15: VITAMIN ‘A’ CAN HELP IN THE GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDREN, DO YOU AGREE WITH
THE STATEMENT?

S/NO Responses Respondent Percentage (%)

s
1 Strongly Agreed 0 0%
2 Agreed 48 98%
3 Strongly Disagreed 1 2%
4 Disagreed 0 0%
Total 49 100%

The above table showed that not any respondents representing 0% is

strongly agreed, 48 respondents representing 98% are agreed, while 1
36
respondents representing 2% strongly disagreed and also not any
respondents representing 0% is disagreed.

This table indicated almost all the respondents are agreed representing 98%.

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 INTRODUCTION:

This chapter contained: Introduction, Summary, conclusion and

Recommendations/suggestion.

5.2 SUMMARY:

The research work was aimed at finding the effect of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency

among Funtua Model Primary School Pupils, Funtua Local Government

Area. The study was presented in fives chapters, where chapter one dealt

with the introduction, background of the study, statement of the problem,

objective of the study, significance, scope and delimitation. Also certain

questions design to serve as research questions and hypothesis, matched and

correlated with the define objectives.

Moreover, definitions of some terminologies used in this study were

included in the chapter.

Chapter two discussed the literature, related to the subject that is “Effect of

vitamin ‘A’ deficiency”. It was the reappraisal of the research on the

37
literature starting from the earlier to the most recent publicating such as

books, internet and magazine to provide information on the effect of vitamin

‘A’ deficiency.

Chapter three discussed the research study design, instruments/tools, area of

study, population of the study, validity and reliability of instrument, pilot

study as well as ethical considerations.

Chapter four of this study presented the data and the statistical analysis

without discussing the findings. The data was presented in simple frequency

table for easy assimilation and interpretation.

Furthermore, the summary of the findings from the questionnaire which was

presented in the chapter is as follows:

1. The study carried out showed that most of the respondents said that
culture and taboos contribute to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency.
2. The researcher showed that 84% of the respondents agreed that
xerophthalmia, kerotomalacia, night blindness are among the signs and
symptoms of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency.
3. The study revealed the most of the respondents 51% of the respondents
strongly agreed that blindness is the complication of vitamin ‘A’
deficiency.
4. The study also indicated that most of the respondents are strongly
disagreed that over-cooking of food can lead to lost of valuable nutrient
contained in the food.

38
5. The research showed that most of the respondents agreed that vitamin
‘A’ deficiency is the major cause of non-accidental blindness.
6. The study indicated that 71.4% of respondents strongly agreed that pre-
school children are regarded as high risk group for developing vitamin
deficiency.
7. Also the study indicated that 86% of the respondents are strongly agreed
that immunization and supplementation can prevent vitamin ‘A’
deficiency.
8. The research showed that most of the respondents agreed that vitamin

‘A’ can help in the growth and development of the children.

Finally chapter five which is the last chapter of the study, dealt with

summarization of the research work, conclusion based on the research

findings, recommendations by the researcher and suggestion for further

study.

5.3 CONCLUSION/FINDING:

The research findings which were obtained through the method of data

collection applied showed that the majority of the respondents representing

98% are agreed the vitamin ‘A’ can help in growth and development of the

children.

However, as regards to the awareness and knowledge of the respondents

86% strongly agreed that immunization and supplementation of vitamin ‘A’

can prevent vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. The study has also found most of the
39
 respondents accounting 91.8% agreed that vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is a major

cause of non-accidental blindness.

Another finding showed that few of the respondents representing 6.2%

disagreed that vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is a major cause of non-accidental

blindness.

The study also found that few of the respondents representing 2% strongly

agreed that vitamin ‘A’ deficiency can help in growth and development of

the children.

5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS/IMPLICATIONS:

Having successfully analyzed and presented the data related to the study, the

following recommendations were made:-

i. Health education should be given to mother to avoid over washing of

green vegetables which can lead to loss of valuable vitamin ‘A’ nutrients.

ii. Good information should be given to mothers and school food vendors to

avoid keeping/exposing vegetable to sunlight or hot place to prevent

them from loss of vitamin ‘A’ nutrients.

iii. Government should assist and encourage farmers to cultivate and

produce foods that are rich in such vitamins to prevent such deficiencies.

40
iv. School health programme should be carried out on frequency basis so as

to observe the food and to encourage food vendors to provide foods that

are enrich with vitamin ‘A’.

v. Mothers should be encouraged on exclusive breast feeding for good six

months without giving water to the children to avoid cases of vitamin ‘A’

deficiency.

vi. Health education should always be given to mothers in the clinics to

eliminate common disease resulting from the effect of vitamin ‘A’

deficiency including importance of eating the food that are enriched with

vitamin ‘A’.

5.5 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH (STUDY):

The research is aimed finding out the effect of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency among

Funtua Model Primary School Pupils in Funtua Local Government Area,

Katsina State.

As such, the researcher suggested that:

i. Further studies on the effect of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency should be carried

out in other villages, communities and some hamlets in the local

Government Area.

ii. Research on vitamins should also be considered important and be carried

out.
41
REFERENCES:

Adetokunbo, O. Lucas and Herbeert, M. Gilles, (2009) Short textbook of

public Health Medicine for the tropics, Fourth Edition.

Barnabas Dagah (2006): Short book the Practice of Community Medicine

and Surgery in Primary Health Care, 1st Edition.

Davod Shiery Jackie Buttex and Ricki Levis (2000): Textbook of Holes
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Seventh Edition.

Elaine N. Marieh (1992): Textbook of Human Anatomy and Physiology,

Second Edition.

Ethic Whitney and sharam Rady Roffles (2008): Understanding Nutrition,

Eleventh Edition.

Glencoe Macmillan and Grow – Hill (1993): Textbook of science

interactions, Course 3.

Gorden M. Wardlaw and Margaret Kessel (2002): Perspective in

nutrition, Fifth Edition.

Grodner – Anderson, Deyoung (2000): Foundation and Clinical Application

of Nutrition, Second Edition, A Nursing approach.

Kay Yockey Melias and Sharon lesly Rodger (1997): Textbook of

Biochemistry of food and nutrition, Third Edition.

Park, O.K (2007): Textbook of Prevention and social Medicine.

Ross and Wilson, Anne Waugh Allison Grant (2001): Textbook of

Anatomy and Physiology in health and illness, Ninth Edition

United Nation Children Fund (1993): Prescriber Guidelines on the Rational

uses Drugs in basic Health services.
42
U. S National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.

Wikipedia Encyclopedia- vitamin ‘A’ deficiency.

43
 APPENDIX

(QUESTIONNAIRE)

Katsina State College of Health Sciences,

Consultancy Services Unit, School of Health
Technology, Kankia,
Dear Respondent,
I am a student of the above mentioned Institution currently in final year,

carrying out a research for the award of Diploma in Health Education and

Promotion, the topic of the research is “Effect of Vitamin ‘A’ Deficiency

among Funtua Model Primary School Pupils”.

Your response will be treated confidentially. Please tick [√] the option you
consider correct for the questions below and write a comments where
necessary.

SECTION ‘A’ BIO DATA

1. AGE?

15 – 25 years [ ], 26 – 35 years [ ], 36 – 45 years [ ], 46 yrs and above [ ]

2. SEX?

Male [ ] Female [ ]

3. MARITAL STATUS?

Single [ ], Married [ ], Widowed [ ], Divorced [ ]

4. TRIBE?

Hausa [ ], Yoruba [ ], Igbo [ ], Others (specify) …….………

5. RELIGION?

44
Islam [ ], Christianity [ ], Others (specify) ……………………

6. YOUR LEVEL OF EDUCATION?

Primary education [ ], Secondary education [ ], Tertiary education [ ]

7. OCCUPATION?

Housewife [ ], Civil servant [ ], Business [ ], Farmer [ ]

SECTION ‘B’ RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

8. Can improper intake of balance diet caused vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]

b. Agreed [ ]

c. Strongly disagreed [ ]

d. Disagreed [ ]

9. Staple food such as grains and cereals are the major diet in this
community?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]

b. Agreed [ ]

c. Strongly disagreed [ ]

d. Disagreed [ ]

10. Does culture and taboos contribute to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]

b. Agreed [ ]

c. Strongly disagreed [ ]

d. Disagreed [ ]

11. Do you believe that vitamin ‘A’ deficiency is the major cause of non-
accidental blindness?

45
 a. Strongly agreed [ ]

b. Agreed [ ]

c. Strongly disagreed [ ]

d. Disagreed [ ]

12. Over cooking of food can lead to loss of valuable nutrients contain in
the food. Do you agree with this statement?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]
b. Agreed [ ]
c. Strongly disagreed [ ]
d. Disagreed [ ]

13. Do you know that xerophthalmia, kerotomalacia, night blindness are

among the sign and symptoms of vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]
b. Agreed [ ]
c. Strongly disagreed [ ]
d. Disagreed [ ]

14. The complication of vitamin “A” deficiency is blindness. Do you agree

with statement?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]
b. Agreed [ ]
c. Strongly disagreed [ ]
d. Disagreed [ ]

15. Are pre-school children regarded as high risk group for developing
vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]
b. Agreed [ ]
c. Strongly disagreed [ ]
d. Disagreed [ ]

46
16. Do you know that immunization and supplementation can prevent
vitamin ‘A’ deficiency?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]
b. Agreed [ ]
c. Strongly disagreed [ ]
d. Disagreed [ ]

17. Vitamin ‘A’ can help in the growth and development of the children.
Do you agree with me?

a. Strongly agreed [ ]
b. Agreed [ ]
c. Strongly disagreed [ ]
d. Disagreed [ ]

SUGGESTIONS:

18. Can you suggest the ways in which we can reduce the effect of vitamin
‘A’ deficiency and reduce it complications.

a. ……………………………………………………………………………..
b. ……………………………………………………………………………..
c. ……………………………………………………………………………..
d. ……………………………………………………………………………..
e. ……………………………………………………………………………..

47