Spill the Dal 🍛
In which country was the national Vitamin A program implemented?
Nepal.
Which vitamin was given to children to prevent deficiency and improve health?
Vitamin A.
What is the first sign of vitamin A deficiency that makes it hard to see at night?
Night blindness.
What are the women called who helped distribute vitamin A capsules to children?
Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs).
What major health outcome showed that the program was successful?
Fewer children died.
During the 1990s, what percentage of young children in Nepal had severe vitamin A deficiency?
2–8%.
How many times per year did children receive high-dose vitamin A capsules?
Twice.
Severe vitamin A deficiency can damage which part of the eye?
The cornea.
Approximately how many volunteers helped across Nepal?
About 49,000.
By approximately what percentage did the program reduce deaths among children under 5?
About 50%.
What eye condition can develop if children do not get enough vitamin A?
Blindness or xerophthalmia.
Name ONE international organization that supported the program.
- UNICEF
- USAID
- WHO
Name ONE illness children are more likely to get if they do not get enough vitamin A.
- Measles.
- Diarrhea.
- Malaria.
Which organization trained and supervised the volunteers?
Nepal Technical Assistance Group (TAG).
Besides children, which group can also be affected by vitamin A deficiency?
Mothers.
Which continent is Nepal located in?
Asia.
Name ONE food item the program encouraged children to eat to get vitamin A.
- Carrots.
- Spinach.
- Eggs.
- Milk.
- Liver.
About what fraction of child deaths from measles, diarrhea, and malaria is linked to vitamin A deficiency?
About 1/4.
Name ONE way the program motivated volunteers without giving them money.
- Respect.
- Recognition.
- Speaking opportunities.
- Priority access to services.
Why was the program considered very cost-effective?
It saved many lives at a low cost.
By 2001, what was the target reduction for severe vitamin A deficiency in Nepal?
From 1.9% to 0.1%.
Approximately how much did it cost to provide two rounds of vitamin A to a single child?
$1.25.
How many children does the program prevent from going blind each year?
About 2,000.
What event helped children in areas not yet fully covered by the program receive vitamin A?
National Immunization Day.
Name ONE of the two researchers who showed that giving vitamin A to children can reduce child deaths by about 30%.
- Dr. Alfred Sommer.
- Dr. Keith West.