Vitamin A supplementation coverage and its associated factors among children 6-59 months of age in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Authors Affiliation

Wubet Tazeb Wondie ^1* Alemu Birara Zemariam ² Gezahagn Demsu Gedefaw ³ Gebeyehu Lakew ⁴ Eyob Getachew ⁴ Berihun Agegn Mengistie ⁵ Adamu Shibabaw ⁶ Alex Ayenew Chereka ⁶ Gemeda Wakgari Kitil ⁷ Amlaku Nigusie Yirsaw ⁸ Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen ⁹

• ¹ Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Referral Hospital, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
• ² Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Science, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia
• ³ Department of Neonatal Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia
• ⁴ Department of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia
• ⁵ Department of General Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
• ⁶ Department of Health Informatics, College of Health Sciences, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia
• ⁷ Departments of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
• ⁸ Department of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar,, Gondar, Ethiopia
• ⁹ Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia

Background: Vitamin A supplementation is a key strategy for preventing the consequences of vitamin A deficiency and childhood illnesses, notably in countries where vitamin A deficiency is a public health issue. However, studies in Ethiopia are inconsistent. Hence, this meta-analysis assessed coverage of vitamin A supplementation and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in Ethiopia.Methods: A search of articles from databases (PubMed, Science Direct, African Index Medicus, and HINARI), and search engines (Google Scholar, Google, and Worldwide Science) was done. All observational studies that report Vitamin A supplementation and/or associated factors among children were included. The Joana Brigs quality appraisal checklist was used.To estimate the pooled effect size a random effect model was used. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I 2 -test and Cochrane Q statistics. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test and funnel plot.Result: A total of fourteen studies, involving 43,047 children aged 6-59 months, were included.