Nutritional and Health Benefits of Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea)-based Therapeutic Foods as Well as its Effects on Child Health Services Delivery in North-West Nigeria

Abstract

Hunger and malnutrition are some of the pressing challenges facing the health systems in the developing world today, and more innovative interventions are needed as a solution to these challenges. The aim of this study is to identify the nutritional and health benefits of peanut-based therapeutic foods in children suffering from malnutrition and assess the effects of this specific therapeutic food on the outcomes of child health services delivery in North-West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure multiple factors and identify the nutritional and health benefits of peanut-based therapeutic foods and assess its acceptability among individuals and families of malnourished children in North-West Nigeria. The effects of PBTF on the delivery of child health services in Sabon Gari Local Government Area in Kaduna state, North-West Nigeria. A total of 396 (97.5%) of mothers and caregivers believe that PBTF is making their child better. Up to 305 (75.1%) reported that the general health of their child has improved and 77 (19%) said their child gained weight, 13 (3.2%) reported that their child’s appetite has increased while 8 (2%) had noticed an increase in the activity of the child. Most respondents (96.5%) believe eating peanuts alone or with food is beneficial to their health. In conclusion, Peanut-Based Therapeutic Foods have valuable nutritional and health benefits and PBTF drives the performance of child health services delivery in North-West Nigeria. Keywords: Child health Services Delivery, Malnutrition, Peanut-based therapeutic food, Ready-to-use therapeutic foods.