Food culture and child-feeding practices in Njombe and Mvomero districts, Tanzania

Mwaseba, Devota Joseph B.; Kaarhus, Randi; Mvena, Z. S. K.

doi:10.1080/17531055.2016.1184834

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Traditionally, CF interventions have tended to have a “a nutrition-centered perspective” (p. 4 in 107 ) with inadequate attention to cultural beliefs, norms, and values that could influence child feeding practices in specific contexts ( 107 ). The focus has been on individual knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes as determinants of behavior change, overlooking communal influences on behavior such as social norms even when espousing social and behavior-change strategies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Influence of Social Norms on Complementary Feeding: A Scoping Review of Observational, Intervention, and Effectiveness Studies

Dickin

Litvin

McCann

et al. 2021

Current Developments in Nutrition

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The influence of social norms on child feeding is recognized, but guidance is lacking on how to address norms and related perceptions that hinder or support positive nutrition practices. We reviewed recent peer-reviewed and grey literature to summarize social norms relevant to complementary feeding (CF), intervention approaches that address norms, and their impacts on social norms and CF outcomes. Many reports described various norms, customs, and perceptions related to appropriate foods for young children, parenting practices, gender and family roles, but rarely explored how they motivated behavior. Community engagement and media interventions addressed norms through facilitated discussions, challenging negative norms, portraying positive norms, engaging emotions, and correcting misperceptions. Evaluations of norms-focused interventions reported improved CF practices, but few assessed impacts on social norms. Although multiple contextual factors influence CF practices, evidence suggests the feasibility and effectiveness of addressing social norms as one component of programs to improve CF practices.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Influence of Social Norms on Complementary Feeding: A Scoping Review of Observational, Intervention, and Effectiveness Studies

Dickin

Litvin

McCann

et al. 2021

Current Developments in Nutrition

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“…The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide which comprised of the topics and questions that guided the discussions with the study participants was a modified version from previous related studies [7,11,16], which were also conducted to explore misconceptions and cultural practices that are associated with complementary feeding practices(CFP). The FGD guide was pretested to assess for reliability, clarity and simplicity of the tool among six health workers in two health centres in another district prior to data collection.…”

Section: Study Instrumentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, interventions that are aimed at improving infant and young child (IYC) feeding must take into account the cultural features of a society and how they act as barriers or facilitators of optimal feeding practices [8,9]. Caregiver's choices that are made regarding IYCF practices are based on a number of complex factors which include widely-shared cultural norms and beliefs [10,11]. Consequently, Mwaseba et al [11] and Akombi et al [12] emphasized that before any nutrition-based intervention which targets children can be successfully introduced and implemented, it is necessary to take into consideration the socio-cultural uniqueness of each sub-region and identify, understand and improve upon the native and local child-feeding practices which include food-related beliefs and norms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-cultural Factors Associated with Complementary Feeding in Two Rural Districts in Ghana: A qualitative study involving Health Workers

Nsiah‐Asamoah

2020

EJNFS

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Aim: This study sought to explore the cultural factors that are associated with complementary feeding from the reports of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Volunteers (CHVs) in two rural districts in Ghana. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that assessed cultural beliefs, norms, superstitions and practices that influence complementary feeding practices of young children under two years in two rural farming districts in Ghana Study Area: The study was conducted at Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methodology: The study employed qualitative methods which entailed conducting 9 focus group discussions among CHWs and CHVs working at two rural districts in Ghana. The focus group discussions were conducted with the aid of a validated, interview guide, after obtaining informed consent (written) from the health workers. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of the Dodowa Health Research Centre and the University of Cape Coast. Thematic content analytical procedures were applied to analyze the transcripts, interpret and present findings as a narrative account. Results: The reports of the health workers indicate a common practice of early introduction of solid foods to infants before they attain six(6) months of age. Cultural beliefs, superstitions, beliefs, food taboos and prohibitions influence mothers’ complementary-feeding practices and result in limiting the food scope and dietary diversity of their young children. Conclusions: Interventions designed to promote appropriate complementary feeding practices should incorporate an understanding of social context, family, and cultural factors in developing nutrition promotion messages that are tailored to meet the needs of rural populations. More community interventions that draw on the support of key influential persons in the community and fathers are needed to address cultural barriers to appropriate complementary feeding practices.

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“…Four types of cereal flours are most prevalent raw materials for the preparation of ugali, these include unrefined maize flour (dona), refined maize flour (sembe), pearl millet flour, finger millet flour and sorghum flour [2, 3,5,6]. Ugali prepared from sembe is staple diet in urban areas among low, moderate and high incomes population [4,7]. While ugali made from dona is mostly consumed in village or rural areas although changes in food consumption and dietary patterns are also taking place in these areas [1,2,8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptability Assessment of Ugali Made from Blends of High Quality Cassava Flour and Cereal Flours in the Lake Zone, Tanzania

Malimi

Ladislaus

Grace

et al. 2018

AFSJ

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Cassava is the most known hunger fighter crop in sub-Saharan African countries during drought and severe famine, its production has been limited to household's consumption and not to commercialization. The aim of this study was to assess consumer acceptability and willingness to pay for blends of high quality cassava flour (HQCF) and refined maize (sembe) or unrefined maize (dona) or sorghum in Lake Zone. The HQCF was mixed with either sembe flour (20:80) or dona flour (80:20) or sorghum flour (80:20) separately. Ugali made at these ratios of the blends were fed to 129 people (Mwanza n = 60 and Bunda n = 69) and descriptively evaluated sensory properties. It was found that 65.

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Food culture and child-feeding practices in Njombe and Mvomero districts, Tanzania

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

Exploring the Influence of Social Norms on Complementary Feeding: A Scoping Review of Observational, Intervention, and Effectiveness Studies

Exploring the Influence of Social Norms on Complementary Feeding: A Scoping Review of Observational, Intervention, and Effectiveness Studies

Socio-cultural Factors Associated with Complementary Feeding in Two Rural Districts in Ghana: A qualitative study involving Health Workers

Acceptability Assessment of Ugali Made from Blends of High Quality Cassava Flour and Cereal Flours in the Lake Zone, Tanzania

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