Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) – the main strategy used to combat VAD – does not have optimal coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and several disparities exist between provinces, par...
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2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01142-x |
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| author | Landry Egbende Mala Ali Mapatano Luthuli Silondile Pierre Z. Akilimali Ingunn M.S. Engebretsen |
| author_facet | Landry Egbende Mala Ali Mapatano Luthuli Silondile Pierre Z. Akilimali Ingunn M.S. Engebretsen |
| author_sort | Landry Egbende |
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| description | Abstract Background Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) – the main strategy used to combat VAD – does not have optimal coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and several disparities exist between provinces, particularly in the health zones of Kasaï-Oriental province. Over two decades since the implementation of the VAS, no evaluation has been carried out to improve this strategy compared to other countries. This study aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers of the VAS campaigns conducted in Kasaï-Oriental province, aiming to enhance the overall comprehension of implementation challenges and opportunities in similar low-resource environments. Methods A qualitative exploratory approach was used, involving stakeholders at national, provincial, health zone, and community levels. It comprised key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Inductive thematic analysis was carried out, supported by NVivo 14 software. Results Several factors were recognised as facilitators of VAS, including heightened awareness of its benefits, the communication strategies employed during campaigns, and the properties of vitamin A supplements. Conversely, this strategy was impeded at the community level by certain beliefs, lack of motivation of healthcare providers, and insufficient vitamin A capsules. Conclusion This study identified facilitators and barriers to VAS affecting the current VAS programme. Interventions will need to address barriers related to the health system and the community level by increasingly involving relevant stakeholders in VAS implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a9dbca39b9b74b10a520b96fce6eaa9e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-a9dbca39b9b74b10a520b96fce6eaa9e2025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-08-0111111110.1186/s40795-025-01142-xUnderstanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative studyLandry Egbende0Mala Ali Mapatano1Luthuli Silondile2Pierre Z. Akilimali3Ingunn M.S. Engebretsen4Department of Nutrition, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaDepartment of Nutrition, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaCenter for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalDepartment of Nutrition, Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaDepartment of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of BergenAbstract Background Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) – the main strategy used to combat VAD – does not have optimal coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and several disparities exist between provinces, particularly in the health zones of Kasaï-Oriental province. Over two decades since the implementation of the VAS, no evaluation has been carried out to improve this strategy compared to other countries. This study aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers of the VAS campaigns conducted in Kasaï-Oriental province, aiming to enhance the overall comprehension of implementation challenges and opportunities in similar low-resource environments. Methods A qualitative exploratory approach was used, involving stakeholders at national, provincial, health zone, and community levels. It comprised key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Inductive thematic analysis was carried out, supported by NVivo 14 software. Results Several factors were recognised as facilitators of VAS, including heightened awareness of its benefits, the communication strategies employed during campaigns, and the properties of vitamin A supplements. Conversely, this strategy was impeded at the community level by certain beliefs, lack of motivation of healthcare providers, and insufficient vitamin A capsules. Conclusion This study identified facilitators and barriers to VAS affecting the current VAS programme. Interventions will need to address barriers related to the health system and the community level by increasingly involving relevant stakeholders in VAS implementation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01142-xVitamin a supplementationFacilitatorsBarriersChildrenDemocratic Republic of the Congo |
| spellingShingle | Landry Egbende Mala Ali Mapatano Luthuli Silondile Pierre Z. Akilimali Ingunn M.S. Engebretsen Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study BMC Nutrition Vitamin a supplementation Facilitators Barriers Children Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| title | Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin A supplementation uptake among children under five in the Kasaï-Oriental province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | understanding facilitators and barriers to vitamin a supplementation uptake among children under five in the kasai oriental province democratic republic of the congo a qualitative study |
| topic | Vitamin a supplementation Facilitators Barriers Children Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01142-x |
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