Nutrition Knowledge and Food Consumption in Households in the Uvira and Rizizi Health Zones, South Kivu, DR Congo

Abstract

The aim of this article was to describe the nutritional knowledge of women in charge of household food and household food consumption. A two-stage cross-sectional cluster sample of women (n=780) was carried out in the Uvira territory, examining knowledge of current dietary recommendations, nutrient sources, healthy food choices and diet diseases relationship. Weekly consumption frequency of seven food groups was assessed. The association between food consumption score and independent variables were tested with a 95% confidence interval. The overall nutrition knowledge score was low (45.1%); of its components, the least known was the use of food information to make dietary choices (49.1%); but women appeared to be familiar with current dietary recommendations (60.8%), the relationship between diet and disease (59.9%) and nutrient sources (56.3%). Significant differences were noticed between nutritional knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics such as city living (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.74-3.37) and female education (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14-2.21). Fat and oil; roots and tubers and flesh-based foods were the most frequently consumed food groups. The food consumption score was, however, good, and was associated with nutrition knowledge (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.34-3.26); area of residence (AOR = 9.4, 95% CI: 5.80-15.30); knowledge of daily food choices (AOR = 1.7, 95 CI: 1. In this study, households had poor nutritional knowledge and adequate food consumption scores were associated with demographic variables. Nutritional education programs are required to raise awareness.