**4.3 Prevention of vitamin A deficiency in nutritionally vulnerable populations**

 Dietary factors are highly correlated with VAD, especially with increasing requirements at different stages of life. Apart from these, sociocultural factors (intra-household distribution, gender preference) and other economic constraints to achieve adequate dietary requirements for well-being are where a high prevalence of deficiency occurs that leads to prevention efforts. The undertaken prevention efforts should also cater to reduce infectious disease apart from improving vitamin A levels [53]. The prevention approach includes dietary diversification, fortification as well as supplementation. The feasibility of applying each preventive strategy concurrently is somehow dependent on deficiency prevalence and severity as well as infrastructure, financial capacity, potential benefits and safety [86]. In addition, it is also necessary to understand that the success of each preventive programme is interrelated to all levels, inclusive of family, community, district, national and global [53].
