Vitamin A Status and Dietary Sources Among Preschool Children in Yobe State, North East Nigeria

Vitamin A deficiency remains a significant public health problem in North East Nigeria, where food insecurity and limited dietary diversity increase the risk of deficiency-related conditions including childhood blindness and impaired immunity. This study examines vitamin A status and the dietary sources of vitamin A among preschool children aged 3 to 5 years in Damaturu and Potiskum local government areas of Yobe State. The humanitarian crisis affecting Yobe State has disrupted supplementation programmes and food production, potentially exacerbating micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable children. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 300 preschool children and their primary caregivers recruited from community health outreach centres. Dietary vitamin A intake was assessed using a quantitative 24-hour recall, with caretaker proxy reporting, and food sources were classified into preformed and provitamin A categories. Serum retinol concentration was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography from finger-prick blood samples collected with appropriate ethical safeguards. Caretaker knowledge of vitamin A-rich foods and supplementation history were also assessed. Findings are expected to indicate subclinical vitamin A deficiency in a substantial proportion of children, with low consumption of animal-source foods and orange-fleshed vegetables as key dietary risk factors. The study recommends targeted supplementation campaigns and dietary diversification education for caregivers in Yobe State. Keywords: vitamin A deficiency, preschool children, dietary sources, Yobe State, micronutrient status.