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Food Insecurity and Maternal Education on Complementary Feeding Practices in a Rural Village in Tanzania
Author(s) -
Dawkins Norma,
Shosho Neema,
Mamiro Peter,
Pace Ralphenia
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.585.25
Subject(s) - tanzania , breastfeeding , meal , dietary diversity , environmental health , psychological intervention , population , nutrition education , medicine , breast feeding , food insecurity , geography , pediatrics , agriculture , food security , gerontology , archaeology , pathology , environmental planning , psychiatry
Improper traditional complementary foods contribute to high levels of under nutrition among infants and young children in rural Tanzania. It occurs during transition from breast milk to solid foods. A survey was conducted to assess food availability, meal consumption patterns, and knowledge of mothers on effective complementary feeding practices followed by a 12‐week interactive nutrition education on correct complementary feeding practices. Study population consisted of 60 mothers and their infants and children. Survey data were analyzed using SPSS v.16.0 and nutritional indices, Z‐scores of height‐for‐age, weight‐for‐age and weight‐for‐height were calculated using WHO Anthro v. 3.2.2. Of the mothers surveyed 60% fed their children thin filtered porridge from refined maize flour as the first complementary food. Majority (94%) of household's main meal is ugali made from refine flour served with vegetable/legumes; 59% and 79 % rarely consume meat and fruits, respectively. Children were generally anemic Hb<11mg/dl, however, the intervention group showed increased weigh and a slight increase in Hb status. Infant and young children feeding practices were poorly practiced. Complementary foods introduced were low in energy and nutrient density and less in dietary diversity.There is an urgent need for education interventions to improve exclusive breastfeeding and traditional complementary foods based on locally available foods.