Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude and Intention among Female Young Adults in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: The decision to breastfeed is largely dependent on mothers’ breastfeeding knowledge and attitude which are usually formed in their adolescence and early adulthood. It is important to focus research on female young adult who are at the verge of stepping into motherhood. Methods: The breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention of 457 female young adults in Ibadan, Nigeria were assessed through validated breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention scales. Results: Majority (87.5%) of the respondents had never given birth and 74.6% had previously participated in breastfeeding discussions. About half (52.1%) knew breastfeeding should be initiated within one hour of birth while 49.9% reported that pre-lacteal feed should not be given to newborn babies. Correct definition of exclusive breastfeeding was given by two-third of the respondents and three-quarter specified that breastfeeding was beneficial to both mother and child. Overall 43.1% of the respondents had good breastfeeding knowledge. About 80% of the respondents agreed that breastfeeding should be initiated within one hour after delivery, 37.8% were of the opinion that breast milk only was not sufficient for infants in the first 6 months of life while about half of the respondents agreed that water should be introduced to babies before 6 months. In all, 53.8% had positive attitude towards breastfeeding. Only a third of the respondents had good breastfeeding intention although 90.6% claimed that they intended to breastfeed. Only 35.9% indicated to have known all it took to breastfeed and 54% intended to introduce breastmilk within 1 hour of birth while 60% had the intention of breastfeeding exclusively. There was significant association between breastfeeding knowledge and attitude as well as breastfeeding knowledge and intention. Conclusion: Female young adult demonstrated relatively fair breastfeeding knowledge and attitude but poor intention to breastfeed. Intervention to improve breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and intention of this population is recommended.

Food Access and Experience of Food Insecurity in Nigerian Households during the COVID-19 Lockdown

The food insecurity experiences and related behaviors of Nigerian households during the COVID-19 lockdown have not been fully discussed. This study was conducted to elicit information on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on economic and behavioral patterns related to food access. An online-based semi-structured questionnaire distributed through messaging platforms was used to collect information on characteristics, food purchasing behaviour before and during COVID-19 lockdown among respondents. Experience of food insecurity was assessed using Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). A total of 883 responses were received and analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0. Most of the respondents (90.5%) were at home or had stopped going to work due to COVID-19 restrictions. Even though smaller households had higher food expenditure claims than larger households (p = 0.012), the larger the household, the more acute the challenge of economic access to food (p = 0.050). Location (p = 0.000), age (p = 0.003), occupation (p = 0.014) and income level (p = 0.000) were associated with experience of food insecurity. In conclusion, lockdown restrictions increased food expenditure and experience of food insecurity among the respondents and thus we recommend the probe of long-term consequences of deviations from usual food access on undernutrition or overnutrition in Nigerian households.

Complementary Feeding Knowledge and Practices of Caregivers in Orphanages Improved after Nutrition Education Intervention in Ibadan, Nigeria

Malnutrition among under-5 children has been linked to inadequate complementary feeding practices. Children living without permanent parents have also been proven to have a higher risk of malnutrition, which puts their growth and development in danger. In this study, an impact evaluation of nutrition education was carried out on the knowledge and practice of complementary feeding among caregivers in orphanages. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in selected orphanage homes located within Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 50 caregivers from 8 orphanage homes. Data was collected using an adapted interviewer administered at baseline and post-intervention. The key results showed that those who had good knowledge of complementary feeding practices increased from 68.1% to 79.9% at baseline and post-intervention respectively. The WHO complementary feeding indicators that were used to measure the practice revealed that 37.5% met the minimum meal frequency (MMF), 52.5% met the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 35% met the minimum adequate diet (MAD) at baseline, which increased to 62.5%, 80% and 60% respectively after intervention. Conclusively, this study revealed that nutrition education improved the complementary feeding knowledge and practice of caregivers. It is recommended that such nutrition education should be introduced to new caregivers and could also be converted into policy actions at a national level.

Nutritional and Sensory Evaluation of Rice-Based <i>Masa</i>Enriched with Soybean and Crayfish

Masa is a cereal based snack made from rice, maize or millet. It is popularly consumed in the northern regions of Nigeria. The objective of this work was to assess the nutritional and sensory properties of the rice-Masa, enriched with soybean and crayfish. The enriched rice-Masa produced were labelled sample A (100% rice), sample B (rice: soybean blend (80:20), sample C (rice: crayfish blend (80:20) and sample D (rice: soybean: crayfish (80:10:10). The proximate and mineral composition was evaluated according to standard methods. Anti-nutrient content was also determined. Sensory evaluation was carried out to assess the acceptability of the enriched rice-Masa. The chemical analysis showed that protein, fibre, iron, zinc and vitamin A and beta carotene contents were highest in sample D with values 8.35 (±0.08) g/100g, 1.08 (±0.02) g/100g, 2.82 (±0.03) mg/100g, 4.20 (±0.03) mg/100g, 602.3 (±1.28) μg/100g and 420.2 (±0.98) μg/100g respectively, while calcium was highest in sample C with a value of 27.34 (±0.06) mg/100g. Moisture and ash contents increased from 47.4 (±0.50) g/100g to 50.9 (±0.80) g/100g and 0.40 (±0.01) g/100g to 1.15 (±0.01) g/100g respectively, while carbohydrate and energy contents decreased from 28.1 (±0.03) g/100g to 21.9 (±0.04) g/100g and 308.42 kcal/100g to 285.64 kcal/100g respectively. The sensory evaluation showed that with regards to taste, aroma, texture and overall acceptability, the sample enriched with soybean was more preferred to that enriched with crayfish, or a combination of both. Enrichment of Masa could contribute to improvement of nutritional status if promoted as a nutritious, healthy indigenous snack not only where Masa is already widely consumed, but also in other parts of Nigeria where it has not found wide acceptance.

Nutrient and Anti-Nutrient Content of Soy-Enriched Tapioca

Tapioca is a cassava-based food product made in the form of irregular lumps of partly gelatinized starch grits. Tapioca was enriched with varying proportions of soybean flour (0, 85% - 15%, 75% - 25%, 50% - 50%) to produce Soy-tapioca (ST). Nutrient and anti-nutrient composition of ST were determined by standard methods, while sensory evaluation was also carried out. Results showed significant increase in protein, fat and mineral contents of tapioca as the level of soy-substitution increased. There was a decrease in the cyanogenic potential and an increase in the level of trypsin inhibitor as soy-substitution increased. Tannin, phytic acid and oxalate contents of the soy-tapioca samples were below minimum levels of safety. ST (50% - 50%) was more nutrient dense than the other products, but ST (85% - 15%) was more accepted in terms of colour, taste and texture. ST suggests a safe, nutritious and acceptable food product that can enhance food and nutrition security among cassava consuming populations.