Datametrics principal officers conducted a study to determine the coverage of Vitamin A Supplements (VAS) among pregnant women and nursing mothers in Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfara States.

A multistage cluster sampling approach was employed for the study based on WHO recommendations for Immunization Coverage Cluster Survey (WHO 2005)1. In each state, 6 LGAs were randomly selected across the different senatorial districts. From the selected LGA, 5 wards were selected randomly, to make up 30 clusters for each state. Using the principle of Lots Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) 19 households were selected from each of the clusters.

A total of 3012 pregnant women and nursing mothers and 5541 eligible children participated in the VAS coverage study. About 94% of pregnant women and nursing mothers considered vitamin A supplements as necessary for the child.

Knowledge of the benefits of vitamin A was high. About 35.4% of pregnant women and nursing mothers mentioned that VAS aids good eyesight, and 27.7% mentioned that VAS aids a better immune system in addition to good eyesight. In addition, 36.2% identified blindness as a possible disability that may be experienced by the child from lack of vitamin A, 17.4% mentioned reduced immunity and 4.2% mentioned impaired physical and mental growth.

The study obtained coverage of VAS to be 78.4% among all eligible children. VAS coverage was highest in Jigawa state with 9.5% and lowest in Kebbi state with 32%.