Gaps in knowledge and practice on dietary consumption among rural farming households; a call for nutrition education training in Tanzania
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Dietary-related conditions are preventable only if people have better understanding of factors
that underpin their dietary choices. A cross-sectional study was carried out to examine levels and
gaps of nutrition knowledge and practices (KPs) of 663 mothers/caregivers in rural households of
Tanzania. Results indicated that, only 14% of the population had received nutrition education
prior to the survey. The mean KP score was 6.9 (±2.6) out of 20 with only 17% of the study
population had KP scores above the mean. The average proportion of those who had correct
responses above mean was 27% for knowledge and 22% practices. Low coverage of nutrition
education and poor participation of men in nutrition education activities were frequently
reported as the barriers for adoption of desirable dietary practices at households. The KP levels
are far below the recommended FAO thresholds and entail high levels of nutrition illiteracy
which call for immediate intervention.
Description
International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
Keywords
KAP, Nutrition knowledge, Dietary practices, Nutrition education, Rural households