Argentina Iodine

Belze

Vitamin A

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Country Profile Policy & Legislation
Program Data
Monitoring
Program Resources

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA
     
Clinical Vitamin A Deficiency
Most Recent Clinical VAD Survey:  No survey reported.
 
Sub-clinical Vitamin A Deficiency
Most Recent Sub-Clinical VAD Survey:  Assessment of Vitamin A status of Children in Belize
Date: 1989
Groups Surveyed: Children up to 8 years old.
Sample Size: 462 children: 214 males and 248 females
Sampling Method: Children were randomly selected from six districts of Belize.
  Estimated Prevalence of VAD:    <0.87µmom/l

Region/Group

Sample size

Indicator(s) specify cutoff and/or median serum retinol

Prevalence in sample %

Children 2-8 years old

503

24.0

Corozal

  

20.0

Orange Walk

  

25.0

Belize

  

24.0

Cayo

  

20.0

Toledo

  

28.0

Stann Creek

  

23.0

National Total

  

 

24.0
     
     
 

POLICY AND LEGISLATION
 

Legislation on VAD
     There is no VAD legislation in Belize, nor is it being developed or about to be enacted into law.
     There have been no documents published stating the national policy regarding VAD.

Government Agency to Address VAD

      Maternal and Child Health Department, Ministry of Health.  Function is coordnation

    

Contact Information: Belize City Hospital, Belize City, Belize
     
     

PROGRAM DATA
Supplementation
Program Description
     There are 2 Vitamin A supplementation programs.  One targets women and post-partum mothers while the second programs targets children under 5 years old. Both programs started in 1999.
     There is a policy to address vitamin A supplementation for mothers within 8 weeks of delivery and it started in 1999.
Targeting

    

Pregnant Women: 6,500

    

Children: 7,500
Capsule Information
Capsule Information

    

Not Reported
Implementation

    

Not Reported
Fortification   Not Reported
Fortification   Not Reported
 
Other Programs
Other Programs- 

    

There are other programs in Belize that are run by Clinics, Health Centers, and Health Professionals.
National Program
National Program

    

Promote improved Vitamin A status through dietary change via dissemination of pamphlets, posters, and TV spots.
Community Based Program
Community Based Program

    

Promote improved Vitamin A status through dietary change with health education sessions with mothers at community clinics, emphasizing the importance of including micronutrient rich foods in the diet.
     
 
MONITORING
 

Clinical and Sub-clinical VAD
     Currently there is no monitoring done.
 
Supplementation
     Imported capsules and coverage of the supplementation program are not monitored.
Fortification
     There is no fortification to monitor.
     
PROGRAM RESOURCES
Donor Agencies

 Implementing Agency

Description of Activities

Expenditure and source of funds in current year

Suppl.

Fortif.

Other (specify)

National/State Government

Supplementation and Health Education

  

 

 

External Agencies

INCAP, PAHO/WHO, and UNICEF

  

 

 
Total VAD Program Funding History and Forecast for Country- Not Reported