Correlation between the Food Consumption of Children Aged 6 to 59 Months and the Socio-demographic Characteristics of Mothers-guardian and Households: A Comparative Study of Two Areas with different Horticultural Characteristics in Niger
HASSANE SALEY Zara *
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
HAMIDOU LAZOUMAR Ramatoulaye
Centre for Research on Meningitis and Schistosomes or CERMES, Niger.
ADAMOU O. Aboubacar
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
AMINOU ILLIA M. Nafiou
Faculty of Technical Sciences and Agro-Food Technology, Boubacar Ba University, Tillabéri, Niger.
KARIDIO Diori
Centre for Research on Meningitis and Schistosomes or CERMES, Niger.
RABIOU Maman Moustapha
Faculty of Science and Technology, Biology Department, Dan Dicko Dankoulodo University of Maradi, Niger.
Alkaassoum SALIFOU IBRAHIM
Faculty of Health Sciences, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
ALMOU ABDOULAYE Alio
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
Aichatou ALIROU MAHAMADOU
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
SOUMANA SOUROUNDA Idé
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
Hassimi SADOU
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
SABO Haoua SEINI
Laboratory of Nutrition and Exploitation of Agro-resources, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Abdou Moumouni University, Niamey, Niger.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Poor eating habits have a negative impact on the health of infants and young children.
Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the dietary consumption patterns of children aged 6 to 59 months associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of mothers, guardians and households in two horticultural zones with different specificities.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted across three municipalities, involving 214 households to characterize the socio-demographic profile and food consumption of children. Data were analyzed using Stata MP 16 and SPSS 25 software.
Résultats: The findings revealed that the consumption of animal-based products was generally low, except in non-horticultural areas (Dosso urban commune), where a significant difference was observed (P = 0.05). Furthermore, 66.8% of children achieved an Acceptable Food Consumption Score (AFCS). Multivariate analysis indicated that children in the Tillabéri horticultural area and the Dosso non-horticultural area swere 5.33 and 4.34 times more likely to have an acceptable food consumption score compared to their counterparts in the Dosso horticultural area (adjusted OR = 5.33; P = 0.004), (adjusted OR = 4.34; P = 0.022). However, a low level of maternal education was found to positively influence children's feeding practices (adjusted OR = 4.61; P = 0.005). Conclusion: While the majority of children have an acceptable food consumption score, there is a need to enhance awareness among mothers to promote better feeding practices.
Keywords: Food consumption score, sociodemographic characteristics, household, child, zone, market gardening, Niger