Caregiver Perceptions and Acceptability of a Provitamin A Carotenoid, Iron and Zinc Rich Complementary Food Blend Prepared from Common Bean and Pumpkin in Rural Uganda.

Edward Buzigi,Kirthee Pillay,Muthulisi Siwela

doi:10.3390/nu12040906

Edward Buzigi, Kirthee Pillay + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12040906

Copy DOI

Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Mar 26, 2020
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Kyambogo University, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Ugandan children are vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency (VAD), iron deficiency (ID) and zinc deficiency (ZnD) because they are fed on complementary foods (CFs) low in vitamin A, iron and zinc. This study developed a novel provitamin A carotenoid (PVAC), iron and zinc rich common bean pumpkin blend (BPB) complementary food (CF) from locally available pumpkin and common bean in Uganda and aimed to determine its acceptance, compared to a control pumpkin blend (PB). Seventy caregivers participated in the study. The sensory attributes (taste, colour, aroma, texture and general acceptability) of BPB and PB were rated using a five-point facial hedonic scale (1 = very bad, 2 = bad, 3 = neutral, 4 = good, 5 = very good). Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to assess the perceptions of caregivers about the BPB. The chi square test was used to detect the proportion difference for each sensory attribute between BPB and PB, whilst FGD data were analysed by thematic analysis. A proportion of 64% to 96% of the caregivers rated both BPB and PB as acceptable (good to very good) for all the sensory attributes. There was no significant difference in caregiver acceptability for all attributes between BPB and PB (p > 0.05). Caregivers had positive perceptions about the taste, texture, aroma and colour of the BPB. Caregivers were keen to know the specific varieties of common bean and pumpkin used to formulate the PVAC, iron and zinc rich BPB. In conclusion, BPB was acceptable to caregivers, and they were interested to know how to prepare and use it as a CF.

Highlights

Complementary feeding is defined as a critical period of child growth and development (6 to 24 months of age), when breastmilk should be supplemented with nutrient-rich complementary foods [1,2]
Consumption of such staples during the period of complementary feeding is associated with child vitamin A deficiency (VAD), iron deficiency (ID) and zinc deficiency (ZnD) [9]
Ugandan children are predominantly fed on complementary foods (CFs) formulated from staple cereals and tubers, devoid of vitamin A, iron and zinc [10,11]

Summary

Introduction

Complementary feeding is defined as a critical period of child growth and development (6 to 24 months of age), when breastmilk should be supplemented with nutrient-rich complementary foods [1,2]. Caregivers from developing countries including Uganda feed their children low quality homemade CFs predominantly formulated from staple cereals and tubers such as white maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and yams [8,9,10]. These staple cereals and tubers are rich sources of calories, they are low in vitamin A, iron and zinc [11]. Consumption of such staples during the period of complementary feeding is associated with child vitamin A deficiency (VAD), iron deficiency (ID) and zinc deficiency (ZnD) [9]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion