Masters Degrees (DPBS)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (DPBS) by Author "Emvula, Albertina"

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    Factors hindering the uptake of vitamin a supplementation among under-five children, Oshakati district, Oshana region
    (University of Namibia, 2025) Emvula, Albertina; Uushona, Selma
    Vitamin A supplementation is a crucial public health intervention aimed at reducing child mortality and morbidity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing the uptake of Vitamin A supplementation among children under five years old in the Oshakati district, Namibia. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional study design. A total of 198 parents were surveyed at five health centres using structured questionnaires to gather information on factors such as income, education, transport, and healthcare access. The study found that 46.5% of participants strongly agreed that Vitamin A supplementation should start at six months, and 53% agreed that parents should know their child’s follow up schedule. Key barriers included transportation costs (78.3%) and long wait times (69.2%), while 65.7% reported Vitamin A shortages. Knowledge was high, with 166 (83.8%) strongly agreeing on the importance of Vitamin A for eye health and 76.8% recognising its role in preventing deficiency, though gaps remained, such as awareness of xerophthalmia (33.8%). Chi-square tests were conducted to determine associations between socio-demographic factors and supplementation uptake, with results showing no statistically significant associations between variables like education, income, and occupation with Vitamin A adherence. The study concluded that enhancing health education, improving healthcare access, and addressing transportation barriers are vital to increasing Vitamin A supplementation adherence. The study recommends interventions to address transportation barriers and improve healthcare service efficiency, particularly in rural and remote areas, to enhance access to Vitamin A supplementation. Additionally, strengthening community engagement through health education to improve parental awareness