Maternal Social Support Is Associated with Knowledge and Attitudes on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Refugee Mothers in Post- Emergency Settlements in Uganda

Abstract

ObjectivesResearch on the effectiveness of maternal social support to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the consumption of healthy diets is limited in Uganda. Our study examined the association between maternal social support and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of fruit and vegetable consumption among South Sudanese refugee mothers in post-emergency settlements in the West Nile region, in Uganda. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 379 refugee mothers (15–49 years). Principal component analysis was used to determine scores for maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices of fruit and vegetable consumption. The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Index was used to determine maternal social support scores. A mean score > 4 was considered optimal social support. Associations between maternal social support and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of fruit and vegetable consumption were determined by logistic regression, adjusted for confounders. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. ResultsThe mean maternal age was 27.8 ± 5.0. Although 62.3% of mothers had optimal social support scores, 37.7% did not have anyone to rely on for day-to-day support. Even though mothers with optimal social support were more likely to have more knowledge about fruit and vegetable consumption (AOR = 2.05 [1.32 – 3.19], p = 0.003), there was not a significant association between maternal social support and fruit and vegetable consumption (AOR = 0.75 [0.46 – 1.23], p = 0.242). Furthermore, mothers with optimal social support were less likely to be positive towards fruit and vegetable consumption (AOR = 0.13 [0.02 – 0.73], p = 0.023). ConclusionsSocial support interventions have the potential to improve maternal knowledge on fruit and vegetable consumption among mothers in post-emergency areas. A mixed-methods longitudinal study may further determine why social support is associated with increased knowledge but not with more positive attitudes about fruit and vegetable consumption. Funding SourcesEsther Winterfeldt Summer Research Fellowship; The Nestlé Foundation.