Browsing by Author "Nyaruhucha, C. N."

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Formulation and sensory evaluation of complementary foods from low-cost, locally-available and nutrient-dense ingredients using linear programming.
(Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2021) Tesha, A. P.; Nyaruhucha, C. N.; Mwanri, A. W.
Meeting energy and micronutrient requirements during complementary feeding period especially in developing countries is limited by many factors one of them being poverty. This study was carried out in Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region with the aim of developing low-cost complementary foods using locally available ingredients by linear programming. Frequently used complementary foods and their ingredients were identified by using 24-hour dietary-recall questionnaire. Market and field survey was done to identify available ingredients and their monetary values. Linear programming was used to identify the cheapest possible combination of food ingredients that meet a set of nutritional requirements. Data was analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model using R software (Ri386) version 3.3.1. Means and standard deviations were calculated for acceptability of the sensory attributes of the complementary foods and for categorical variables frequencies and percentages were used. Seven recipes (banana puree with either minced beef, fish, pumpkins or milk as well as maize and composite flour porridges) were developed, prepared and then subjected to sensory evaluation using 5-point Likert scale. Banana porridge with minced beef was highly acceptable. There was no significant difference in terms of acceptability between banana porridge with fish, maize porridge, composite flour porridge and banana porridge with pumpkins. Banana porridge with milk had the least score. Linear programming was found to be a good method to improve nutrient content of complementary foods using low cost, locally available and culturally acceptable ingredients.
Knowledge, practices and intention to consume omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
(Academic Journals / African Journal of Food Science, 2022-06) Tesha, A. P.; Mwanri, A. W.; Nyaruhucha, C. N.
Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are beneficial throughout the human life cycle. With regard to early child development, maternal fatty acid status influence cognitive and psychomotor development of the unborn child. Regardless of their importance in early childhood development they still receive less attention when compared to other nutrients. This paper aimed to assess knowledge, practices and intention to consume omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Morogoro Municipality and the study adopted the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A cross-sectional survey which involved 318 randomly selected pregnant and breastfeeding women was conducted in three wards of Morogoro Municipality. Data were collected through face to face interview using a questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for data analysis. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Scores were compared with demographic characteristics by Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the level of significance set at p<0.05. The findings revealed limited knowledge on omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. However most of the participants showed positive attitude towards omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acid food sources and they intended to use them in the future if they are properly trained. Level of education had a significant influence on respondents’ knowledge (p = 0.003) and attitudes (p = 0.004). It was concluded that, any attempt to increase consumption of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Tanzania have to pay attention on their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs.
Nutrient content of complementary foods for children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(Academic Journals, 2022) Tesha, A. P.; Mwanri, A. W.; Nyaruhucha, C. N.
Complementary feeding is an effective strategy in reducing the levels of malnutrition among children aged 6-23 months. Little is known about the preparation and nutrient content of locally made complementary foods in Tanzania. This study was carried out with the aim of analysing nutrient content of the frequently used complementary foods for children of age 6 to 23 months. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three randomly selected villages in Rombo district, Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Information on the types of complementary foods was collected using semi-structured and 24-h dietary- recall questionnaires. Seven samples of frequently consumed complementary foods (banana, rice and maize-based porridges) were collected and analysed for proximate, vitamins and minerals composition. The results were as follows: Energy 317.98-379.23 kcal, vitamin A 81.32-971.05 μg RE, vitamin C 3.48- 9.56 mg, iron 2.48-22.86 mg, zinc 0.92-9.57 mg, calcium 73.13-400.58 mg and iodine 10.18-200.93 μg/100 g dry-weights. Conclusively, the amount of vitamin C, iron, zinc, calcium and iodine of the frequently used complementary foods in the study area was low as compared to what is recommended by World Health Organization. It is important to develop recipes that may either fill or narrow this gap by using low-cost, locally available and culturally acceptable ingredients.
Nutritional status of tinder — five year children in selected Villages of Mvomero and Kongwa Districts, Tanzania
(2015-06) Meena, P. H.; Lyirno-Macha, J. G.; Nyaruhucha, C. N.
,Malnutrition remains a significant public health problem in Tanzania. The study was. carried to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and causes associated with it in Alvomero and Kon,t,iiva Districts, Tanzania. .4 structured questionnaire teas used to determine dietary pattern of the households and anthropometric measurements were taken to assess the nutritional status of the under-live years of age children. Sixty mothers with under -five year's children were recruited. Data for this study were analyzed to obtain frequencies. percentages, means and standard deviation. Chi square lest and Analysis of lariance (.41VOL4) were used to assess the association between a child's nutritional status and the independent variables considered relevant for this study. The findings indicate that most of the mothers were between the age of 25 and 3-1 years with a mean age of 31.6 years.. Alajority of the respondents (66.5%) were married, and the mean Jamily sizell'US 6.2 people per household. The main economic activity in the study area wasfilrIlling. A total of -4 under-Jive year's children were involved, of which 55.4% were males and 44.6% were females. Household dietary pattern was of medium diversity. Protein foods and fruits were rarely consumed. Consequently the nutritional status of children was generally .suboptimal. The overall prevalence of stunting Was' higher in Kongwa District 67.3%1Or children aged 12 to 23 months compared to 33.3% in Afvomero. Factors which were .significantly associated with nutritional status' of the children include location where the child lives., the child's age as well as. the mother's educational level, introduction of complementary foods, type of conwlementary food, feeding frequency and the sex of the household head. It is' therefOre recommended that female education, nutritional education and gender .training he adopted because they will improve the nutritional status of children.