The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
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Project
Assessment of vitamin A status in support of interventions to improve vitamin A nutrition
Start
Collaboration between the FSM Department of Health and Human Services and CDC began in 1991 when CDC measured serum vitamin A in two groups of preschool children and a group of mothers in Chuuk state.
Background and Purpose
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been recognized as a serious problem among children in parts of the Federated States of Micronesia since the 1980s. CDC's involvement in assessing the vitamin A status among mothers and children in FSM provides credible information in support of capsule-distribution programs and public health decisions.
Scope
CDC has conducted surveys in the four main island group states of FSM Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap.
Other Partners
- FSM Department of Health and Social Services
- UNICEF
Progress
- The 1991 Chuuk study indicated a need to restructure the state's
vitamin A capsule-distribution program due to reports of vitamin A
deficiency in 55% of children aged 24� months, in 76% of children
aged 3�years, and in 30% of mothers.
- In 1993, a team from CDC and a Public Health Service medical officer
in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) conducted a vitamin A and
lead survey of a convenience sample of preschool children in Pohnpei
state. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was found in 57% of the children,
which eventually resulted in the implementation of vitamin A
capsule-distribution program in the state.
- In January and February 2000 a CDC team, in collaboration with
UNICEF and the FSM Department of Health and Social Services, conducted
a micronutrient and health survey of children aged 24� months and
their mothers in Kosrae and Yap states. The survey confirmed that a
severe VAD problem exists in the two states. VAD was reported in 58%
of children and 58% of mothers in Kosrae and in 38% of children and
12% of mothers in Yap. This data provides baseline information on the
vitamin A status of preschool children and women of childbearing age.
This data will be compared with follow-up data to assess the
effectiveness of the vitamin A capsule-distribution program in
treating VAD.
- In August and September of 2001, CDC and FSM Department of Health and Social Services conducted a population-based micronutrient, lead, diet, and health survey of preschool children and mothers in Chuuk state. Initial analysis of the vitamin A data indicates that vitamin A deficiency remains a persistent public health problem in the state. This reinforces the need for effective, sustainable VAD elimination programs.
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Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion