Determinants of community-based coverage: periodic vitamin A supplementation

Factors affecting preschool children's receipt of vitamin A during the first year of a semiannual program are examined. The program operated in 230 villages in Indonesia. Coverage was best in the more rural and less developed villages. The best performance was achieved by village distributors who were average people for the area (farmers, or non-farmers with minimal education), rather than by upwardly mobile and highly educated residents. Coverage was not affected by the nature of the household or its children. These results may be relevant to planning direct-service projects in the community.