Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia is a well identified public health problem among pre-school children in the southern part of rural Ethiopia, Arssi region. This has been associated with the low frequency of consumption of vitamin A rich foods and a variety of interfering food habits and beliefs. A cross sectional study was carried out in two rural villages of Arssi region in Southern Ethiopia in the period between January - March 1993. The objective of this study was to determine the severity of vitamin A deficiency and its dietary associations among pre-school children. For the purpose of this study, two clusters of villages in a rural setting were randomly selected. The total number of households included in the study was 130, of which 54 households were from village Hate tulu and 66 households from village Andode. A total of 229 children under five years of age were examined and clinical diagnosis conducted. A questionnaire on food frequency, breastfeeding and weaning and food habits and beliefs was administered in all the households. Out of 229 children examined, 33 had at least one recognizable I sign of vitamin A deficiency giving an overall vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia prevalence 14.4 percent.

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