Demographic and Health Survey 2009-10 - Timor-Leste Ministry of ...

Table 12.12 shows data on micronutrient intake among mothers of young children by
background characteristics. More than nine in ten mothers (94 percent) consumed vitamin A-rich
foods, and more than one-half (53 percent) consumed iron-rich foods in the 24 hours preceding the
survey. Consumption of vitamin A-rich foods is higher among mothers residing in urban areas, more
educated mothers, and those in the highest wealth quintile. Similarly, urban residence, education, and
wealth are positively associated with consumption of iron-rich foods. Mothers living in urban areas
are much more likely to consume iron-rich foods (74 percent) than mothers living in rural areas (46
per cent).
Women living in Manufahi and Dili are most likely to receive vitamin A-rich foods (99
percent each) compared with women living in Oecussi, who are least likely (84 percent). In addition,
women in Dili are most likely to receive iron-rich foods (83 percent), and women in Ainaro are the
least likely (26 percent).
Supplementation with vitamin A capsules (200,000 IU) for postpartum mothers through
health care facilities and community volunteers is a strategy to reduce night blindness caused by
vitamin A deficiency. Table 12.12 shows that 55 percent of women received vitamin A postpartum,
an improvement from the 23 percent of women who received vitamin A postpartum reported in the
2003 DHS. Women 20-39 years of age are more likely to receive vitamin A postpartum. There is a
marked urban-rural difference, with 61 percent of urban women receiving vitamin A, compared with
53 percent of women residing in the rural areas. Women with a higher level of education and those in
the highest wealth quintile are also more likely to receive vitamin A postpartum. Vitamin A
supplementation is highest in Covalima district (71 percent) and is lowest in Viqueque (37 percent).
Thirteen percent of mothers reported having difficulty seeing at night but, when this figure is
adjusted to include only those mothers who had no difficulty seeing in the daytime, only 2 percent of
mothers suffered from night blindness during their most recent pregnancy in the last five years. This is
a decrease from the 13 percent of mothers reported with night blindness in the DHS 2003 survey.
Night blindness during pregnancy is more prevalent among mothers in urban areas, mothers with
higher education, and mothers in the poorest households. The prevalence of night blindness during
pregnancy among districts in Timor-Leste is variable, with the highest prevalence in Lautem (7
percent) and lowest prevalence in Bobanaro (0.1 percent).
Besides improving food intake, supplementation is an important strategy for addressing the
problem of micronutrient deficiency. Iron supplementation during pregnancy has been a key health
initiative in Timor-Leste since 2003. According to the nutrition strategy, all pregnant women are
supplied with iron-folic acid tablets free of charge. The iron-folic acid tablets are provided to all
pregnant women from the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy. Health staff are trained and
equipped to provide iron tablets to pregnant and postnatal women at the facility and community levels
(MOH, 2004c).
Presumably as a result of these existing program interventions, the proportion of women who
took iron supplements during pregnancy has risen from 43 percent in 2003 to 61 percent in 2009-10.
However, 37 percent of women did not take any iron supplements during their most recent pregnancy.
Further, only 16 percent of women took the recommended dose of iron supplements for 90 days or
more during their pregnancy.
Table 12.12 also shows that 13 percent of women received deworming medication during
pregnancy, 31 percent received supplementary food while pregnant with their last birth, and 29
percent received supplementary food while breastfeeding their last-born child. Variations by
background characteristics are similar to those discussed earlier.
168 | Nutrition of Children and Women