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Biomedical subjects

B M Popkin

Publications and source records attributed to B M Popkin.

115 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

An evaluation of strategies to control vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines.

Xerophthalmia has been found to be an important cause of blindness in the Philippines. An earlier study had investigated its prevalence and epidemiology on the island of Cebu. The research now presented consists of an evaluation of the relative effectiveness of three different intervention strategies to control vitamin A deficiency in Cebu. These interventions were 1) a public health and horticulture intervention, 2) the provision of 200,000 IU of vitamin A to children every 6 months (the "capsule intervention"), and 3) the fortification of monosodium glutamate with vitamin A. A total of 12 areas or barangays were included. Each intervention was monitored in four different barangays, two urban and two rural, for almost 2 years. Similar examinations were performed before and after the interventions. The monosodium glutamate fortification was the only intervention that resulted both in a significant reduction in clinical signs of xerophthalmia and in a significant rise in serum vitamin A levels. Fortification is now being planned in three Philippine provinces.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Planning, implementation, and evaluation of a fortification program. Control of vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines.

In a three-year pilot project in the Philippines, the magnitude of vitamin A deficiency and its clinical manifestation (xerophthalmia) was determined, and three alternate programs for eliminating and preventing it in various ecologic zones were designed and implemented concurrently in separate areas in each ecologic zone. Results were evaluated, and costs and benefits of each program were determined. The results of the fortification program are reported. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) was selected as the ideal carrier was fortified at a level which provided 15,000 I.U. retinol palmitate to the average family each day. Significant increases in serum A, especially for children with more deficient vitamin A status, resulted. The program's economic benefits significantly outweighted the costs, and the MSG fortification program has been expanded to several additional pilot provinces in the Philippines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines: a study of xerophthalmia in Cebu.

An investigation of xerophthalmia was undertaken in four ecological zones in Cebu in the Philippines. One thousand seven hundred fifteen children aged 1 to 16 years were examined in 12 barrios. Clinical, biochemical and anthropometric data were collected from the children. Dietary and socioeconomic information was obtained from the households. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to examine factors possibly associated with xerophthalmia. Of children 47% had deficient or low serum vitamin A levels and 4.5% had clinical signs of xerophthalmia. Approximately 2% had both low serum vitamin A levels and clinical eye signs and were then defined as having active xerophthalmia. Vitamin A deficiency was more prevalent in males than females. Xerophthalmia was most common in the 4 to 6 year old age group. Diarrhea, roundworm infestation and measles were not positively correlated with xerophthalmia but whooping cough and tuberculosis were. Low intakes of carotene and vitamin A were associated with xerophthalmia but protein and fat intakes were not. A higher incidence of xerophthalmia occurred in children of working than nonworking mothers. Data on home production and use of vegetables and fruits are presented. The results of this study are being used to introduce three alternate intervention strategies to control xerophthalmia.

Adolescent↗