Publication Date
Elaborates basic principles for the use of 24 specific biological and ecological indicators in the surveillance of vitamin A deficiency. Addressed to managers of national programmes for the prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition, the document offers abundant advice on the principles governing the use of biological indicators for surveillance, and explains the scientific rationale for each indicator, including its limitations and cutoff points for interpretation in terms of public health significance. For the first time, a series of ecological indicators that can be used to identify high risk areas is presented together with advice on cutoff points for their interpretation. Also included are indicators for monitoring progress towards achieving the goal of eliminating vitamin A deficiency as a significant public health problem by the year 2000. Annexed to the text are a ranking of countries according to the severity of public health problems caused by vitamin A deficiency, and several sample survey and reporting forms
