Social and economic factors influencing intrahousehold food allocation and egg consumption of children in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adequate intake of high-quality nutritious foods during infancy and early childhood is critical to achieving optimal growth, cognitive and behavioural development, and economic productivity later in life. Integrating high-quality and nutrient-dense animal source foods (ASFs), a major source of protein and micronutrients, into children's diets is increasingly considered essential to reducing the global burden of malnutrition in low-and middle-income countries. While eggs are an ASF that shows promise for mitigating child undernutrition, interventions promoting egg consumption among children have had mixed results in improving egg intake and child growth outcomes. As part of an evaluation of a demand creation campaign promoting egg consumption, qualitative research was carried out in September 2019 to assess sociocultural and household factors affecting egg intake among young children living in Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a thriving egg industry and childhood stunting rates of 50% exist. Methods included freelisting exercises (11), key informant interviews (11), in-depth interviews (25) and FGDs (4). Results illuminated cultural rules that restrict egg consumption among children living in low-income households. These rules and norms reflect social and economic valuations that foster male dominance in household decision-making and guide food purchasing and intrahousehold food allocation that allow men to consume eggs more regularly. Study results highlight sociocultural considerations when selecting food interventions to address child malnutrition in low-income contexts. Interventions encouraging increased consumption of ASFs, and specifically eggs in young children, should be informed by formative research to understand sociocultural norms and beliefs guiding egg consumption.

Behavioural drivers of child feeding during and after illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: results from a qualitative study through the lens of behavioural science

“…It also describes how nutrition counselling by health workers that emphasises specific recommended foods for sick and recovering children may inadvertently reinforce perceptions that other foods are inappropriate or not worthwhile during these times. Prior studies have also documented fears that certain feeding practices might predispose children to have certain expectations and influence their later behaviour, such as a fear that if a child becomes accustomed to eating eggs and other animal-source foods, they might steal or beg for those foods (27)(28)(29) . Fears about the impacts of eggs or other animal-source foods persist despite an absence of evidence that feeding children those foods has any impact on children's later behaviour (27) .…”

Benefits, perceived and actual risks and barriers to egg consumption in low- and middle-income countries

“…For example, in India, consumption of nondairy ASF (including eggs) is forbidden because of religious beliefs and the idea of non-violence among Jains and upper caste Hindus, respectively. Such taboos restricting or regulating consumption of nutritious foods such as eggs based on gender or age have been described as traditional mechanisms by which members of households with the highest decision power, mostly men, control the allocation of nutritious foods (Blum et al, 2023). Hence most of the egg taboos tend to favor men over more vulnerable groups such as women, particularly pregnant women and children (McNamara and Wood, 2019).…”

Why Acute Undernutrition? A Qualitative Exploration of Food Preferences, Perceptions and Factors Underlying Diet in Adolescent Girls in Rural Communities in Nigeria

“…However, poverty limits the ability of numerous households to reliably obtain food in adequate quantities and quality [ 14 ]. It has been documented that the Hausa culture is patrilineal, with men occupying preeminent economic and social positions, since they are culturally responsible for earning income and providing for their families [ 15 , 16 ]. Thus, the food consumed by households is often purchased by male household heads, as Islam, the predominant religion, dictates that married women of reproductive ages should remain confined to the family compound [ 16 ].…”

“…It has been documented that the Hausa culture is patrilineal, with men occupying preeminent economic and social positions, since they are culturally responsible for earning income and providing for their families [ 15 , 16 ]. Thus, the food consumed by households is often purchased by male household heads, as Islam, the predominant religion, dictates that married women of reproductive ages should remain confined to the family compound [ 16 ]. The economic status and social mobility of men empowers them to consume high-quality, luxury foods (including meat) in social men’s groups that are usually not available for household members, including adolescent girls [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…Thus, the food consumed by households is often purchased by male household heads, as Islam, the predominant religion, dictates that married women of reproductive ages should remain confined to the family compound [ 16 ]. The economic status and social mobility of men empowers them to consume high-quality, luxury foods (including meat) in social men’s groups that are usually not available for household members, including adolescent girls [ 15 , 16 ]. Thus, environmental and social factors that underscore food access may influence the food choices of adolescent girls in Bauchi State.…”