Drivers of millet consumption among school aged children in Central Tanzania
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Date
2021-08
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Abstract
Background: Iron and zinc deficiency are common public health problems in
low-income countries largely due to poor consumption of iron and zinc rich foods.
It has previously been observed that 57% of school aged children (SAC) in Tanzania
suffer from anemia. In addition, estimates indicate that over 25% of the population have
inadequate zinc intake. Pearl millet is an example of a nutrient dense, resilient cereal crop,
that can be promoted to diversify diets and combat iron and zinc deficiency. This study
overall aim was to increase pearl millet consumption among school aged (5 – 12 years)
children. As part of the study, we investigated, the drivers of food choice relating to pearl
millet consumption.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study of randomly selected households in
Kongwa district, Dodoma region of Tanzania. In total, 128 women of reproductive age
(20 – 49 years) were randomly selected for the study. A study questionnaire consisting
of 66 items, was developed and validated. The constructs in the questionnaire were
categorized in two groups: internal and external factors. Respondents were asked to
indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with statements read to them by
interviewers. The scores on intention and behavior constructs were based on the number
of times caregivers intended to, or had fed their school going children with pearl millet
in the referent month. Intention was considered high if it was higher than the median
intention score of the group, and low if it was equal to or lower than the median scores.
Correlations and multiple linear regressions were performed to measure association
between constructs and to identify predictive constructs. The Mann-Whitney U test was
used for score comparison.
Results: There was a significant difference between intention and behavior among those
who did not consume pearl millet (P = 0.003), and those who consumed pearl millet
two or more times a week, in the same month (P = 0.01). Knowledge was significantly
correlated with behavior identity (ρ = 0.58, P = 0.001), while health behavior identity
was significantly correlated with intention (ρ = 0.31, P = 0.001). Intention of caregivers
was significantly and positively correlated (ρ = 0.44, P = 0.001) with and predicted
consumption of pearl millet (ρ = 0.87, P = 0.067).
Conclusion: Increasing knowledge or awareness on nutritional benefits of pearl millet
among caregivers may increase consumption of pearl millet by children of school
going age.
Description
Research Paper
Keywords
pearl millet, theory of planned behavior, health belief model, drivers of food choice, school aged children and Tanzania