Knowledge and Awareness on Food Fortification among Mother/Child Caretakers of Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the success of social mobilization and capacity building efforts done to educate the Mother/Child Caretakers and the general public regarding food fortification and the importance of consuming fortified food products in Kinondoni municipality. Methodology:  The study involved Mother/Child Caretakers with children aged 6-59 months who were present during the period of the interview at Sinza hospital (n = 26), Magomeni hospital (n = 39), Manzese dispensary (n = 81) and Tandale health centre (n = 54). The knowledge and awareness information regarding food fortification were collected through face to face interview with the consent of interviewee using structured questionnaires.  The data were analysed by using the descriptive statistics. Results: The study findings showed 64% of the Mother/Child Caretakers have heard the term micronutrients from various sources and only 7.9 % of Mother/Child Caretakers were able to define the term micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, 29% Mother/Child Caretakers have heard the term food fortification and 79% don’t know types of foods being fortified with micronutrients. The main source of information regarding food fortification mentioned by Mother/Child Caretakers was health workers (41.7 %) and the most underutilized source of information was posters (0.1%). The study further noted more than 50% of the Mother/Child Caretakers were not aware of the health benefits of the micronutrients (vitamin A, folic acid, iodine and iron) being added in food. The findings further revealed that knowledge and awareness on food fortification were not influenced with income, level of education and age of the Mother/Child Caretakers. Conclusion: Generally, the knowledge and awareness regarding food fortification are very low among Mother/Child Caretakers in Kinondoni municipality prompting a need to conduct intensive social mobilization towards promoting awareness among the Mother/Child Caretakers as well as the general public to improve child nutrition.