Table 1.

Sample Characteristics (mean ± SD)

Variable	Total (n=171)	Karare (n=117)	Korr (n=22)	Kituruni (n=32)	F a	P
Age	28.3 ± 6.9	28.3 ± 6.9	28.1 ± 7.1	30.0 ± 5.3	1.00	.378
Parity	3.7 ± 2.3	3.7 ± 2.3	3.6 ± 2.3	4.3 ± 2.3	1.02	.363
Postpartum Time (day)	238 ± 135	237 ± 135	253 ± 136	170 ± 107	3.76	.025
Triceps Skinfold Thickness (mm)	14.6 ± 5.9	14.6 ± 5.9	14.8 ± 6.4	13.5 ± 4.7	0.46	.635
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (cm)	24.3 ± 2.4	24.3 ± 2.4	24.1 ± 2.3	24.9 ± 3.3	1.18	.310
Arm Fat Area (cm2)	16.2 ± 7.3	16.2 ± 7.3	16.3 ± 7.6	15.8 ± 7.3	0.05	.955
Dietary Retinol	48.9 ± 58.3	48.9 ± 58.3	55.8 ± 63.1	26.2 ± 29.0	3.0	.052
Dietary β-carotene	922 ± 757	922 ± 757	925 ± 687	620 ± 433	2.9	.056
Breastfeeding Frequency	9 ± 4	9 ± 4	8 ± 3	12 ± 3	46.7	.000
Creamatocrit (%)	4.2 ± 2.4	4.2 ± 2.4	4.3 ± 2.4	4.1 ± 2.3	0.54	.585
Breast Milk Retinol (μmol/L)	0.10 ± 0.04	0.10 ± 0.04	0.09 ± 0.04	0.10 ± 0.03	2.42	.092e
Serum Retinol (μmol/L)	1.49 ± 0.44	1.49 ± 0.44	1.52 ± 0.47	1.48 ± 0.33	1.44	.239
RDR	0.42 ± 0.16	0.43 ± 0.16	0.42 ± 0.18	0.38 ± 0.13	1.39	.252
Milk-Retinol Allocation	0.06 ± 0.02	0.06 ± 0.02	0.07 ± 0.03	0.08 ± 0.03	4.44	.013e
Milk-Retinol Allocation (ln)	−2.82 ± 0.38	−2.88 ± 0.38	−2.75 ± 0.35	−2.64 ± 0.34	5.54	.005e
Vitamin A Deficiencyb	17 (10%)	11 (9%)	2 (9%)	4 (13%)	---	.922d
Vitamin A Supplementationc	25 (15%)	8 (7%)	15(68%)	2 (6%)	---	.000d
Acute Phase Response	17 (10%)	12 (10%)	2 (9%)	3 (9%)	---	1.00d
Land Ownership	111 (65%)	74 (63%)	10 (45%)	27 (84%)	---	.009d

^aANOVA F-test df = 2, 168

^bRelative-dose response value >14%

^cSupplemented with a single oral dose of vitamin A capsule (200,000 IU) after giving birth to the current infant.

^dFisher’s Exact Test

^eBetween community difference was not significant in the sub-sample (n=113) exclusive of mothers with sub-range milk retinol.