How many mega doses of vitamin A are given in the vitamin A prophylaxis programme?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

The National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme provides a total of 9 mega doses to children to prevent deficiency.
The first dose, consisting of 100,000 IU (1 lakh IU), is administered at 9 months of age, typically coinciding with the measles vaccination.
Following the initial dose, eight subsequent doses of 200,000 IU (2 lakh IU) each are given every six months.
This biannual supplementation continues until the child reaches the age of 5 years (or 59-60 months).
The total number of doses administered is one initial dose plus eight biannual doses, which equals nine doses in total.

Option A: Administering only 5 doses would cease supplementation around the age of 3 years, leaving the child unprotected for the remaining high-risk period up to 5 years.
Option B: A total of 10 doses would extend the program beyond the recommended age of 5 years or would imply a shorter interval between doses, which is not part of the national guideline.
Option D: A total of 11 doses is incorrect and significantly exceeds the established 9-dose schedule under the national program.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The concept tested is the schedule and total dosage of the National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme is a critical public health intervention in India aimed at preventing xerophthalmia (nutritional blindness) and reducing overall child morbidity and mortality.
Nurses play a vital role in administering the doses as per the schedule, educating mothers about its importance, and maintaining accurate records in the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card.
Vitamin A deficiency significantly increases a child's risk of severe illness and death from common infections like diarrhea and measles.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on a national health program.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'mega doses', 'vitamin A', and 'prophylaxis programme'.
Recall the specific details of the national schedule for Vitamin A supplementation.
Remember the starting point: the first dose is at 9 months of age.
Remember the frequency: subsequent doses are given every 6 months.
Remember the end point: the program continues until the child is 5 years old (60 months).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The concept tested is the schedule and total dosage of the National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme in India.
Stem keywords: mega doses, vitamin A, prophylaxis programme
Lead-in keywords: How many
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 151-153

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.