Browsing by Author "Mbwana, H. A."

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A home gardening tactic developed to address undernutrition in rural households in Tanzania
(AkiNIk Publication) Mbwana, H. A.
Consumer behavior and consumption practices towards less documented wild leafy vegetables among rural households in Dodoma Region, Tanzania
(Researchgate) Mbwana, H. A.
Consumer behavior and consumption practices towards less documented wild leafy vegetables among rural households in Dodoma Region, Tanzania
(Researchgate, 2019) Mbwana, H. A.
Inadequate dietary diversity is a key challenge in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Diversifying diets with African indigenous vegetables is a sustainable way to supp ly a variety of nutrients to household members due to their richness in vitamins and minerals. Understanding the preferences and consumption practices of different varieties of wild vegetables is important information for agricultural promoters and is scarcely explored in Tanzania. This study aimed to gain an understanding of consumer behavior and consumption practices of wild vegetables in semi -arid areas in Tanzania in order to inform food policy and agricultural promoters. The study was conducted in two villages; Ilolo and Idifu from the semi-arid Dodoma region in Tanzania. Focus group discussions were conducted with forty women from both villages because women are more involved in cultivation, gathering and preparation of vegetables. Information collected in the focus group discussions included; perceptions, preferences, beliefs and taboos associated with consumption of wild vegetables. Participants reported that wild vegetables are seasonally available with most time of the year being scarce. The majority of the women reported consuming the wild ve getables due to good taste, abundance of nutrients, availability/affordability (they are mostly free), and because the other sources of relish are usually scarce. The most common wild vegetables that were consumed in the past 24 hours preceding the focus group discussions in the two villages included Ipomoea pandurate which is locally known as chiwandagulu and Corchorus trilocularis commonly known as ilende. For most vegetables, leaves and stems were common parts consumed. The women in both villages ranked Corchorus trilocularisas the most preferred wild vegetable. Women also reported some medicinal values attached to some of the wild vegetables such as Bidens Pilosa leaves which are claimed to increase blood. Generally, wild vegetables have the capability to escalate their significance to household income generation if farmers are given the chance to market them. Also domestication and promotion of these vegetables may help to enhance food and nutrition security.
Determinants of household dietary practices in rural Tanzania: Implications for nutrition interventions
(Cogent food & Agriculture) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
Determinants of household dietary practices in rural Tanzania: Implications for nutrition interventions
(Cogent food & Agriculture, 2016) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
A household cross-sectional survey of a sample of 120 households to analyze consumption practices and determinants of household dietary diversity in rural areas of differing agro-climatic conditions in Tanzania was conducted in four villages of Morogoro and Dodoma regions. The respondent was the mother/woman or any other person responsible for food preparation and serving in the household. The inclusion criteria were those women who had given consent to participate, those from a rural area and in the age bracket 15 to 49 years. Data were collected using the Food and Agriculture Organization dietary diversity questionnaire with twelve food groups. Two independent multinomial logistic regression models were used to establish relationships between dietary diversity and categorical variables in Morogoro and Dodoma regions. The mean dietary diversity scores were 4.7 and 4.1 for Morogoro and Dodoma, respectively. The Cereals were highly consumed by all households that participated in the study during the past 24 h preceding the survey and that the consumption of animal based protein foods was below 40%. Determinants of household dietary diversity in Morogoro included literacy status of the mother and prior nutrition training/knowledge. In Dodoma, cultivated land size, literacy status of the mother and distance to a water source determined household dietary diversity. It is therefore recommended that nutrition and food security interventions should not only empower rural women but also pay special attention to differences in agro-ecological environments of the areas in determining interventions to address malnutrition and for effective successful implementation and outcomes.
Expert-based ex-ante assessments of potential social, ecological, and economic impacts of upgrading strategies for improving food security in rural Tanzania using the ScalA-FS approach
(Springer Science) Graef, F.; Uckert, G.; Schindler, J.; König, H. J.; Mbwana, H. A.; Fasse, A.; Mwinuka, L.; Mahoo, H.; Kaburire, L.; Saidia, P.; Yustas, Y. M.; Silayo, V.; Makoko, B.; Kissoly, L.; Lambert, C.; Kimaro, A.; Sieber, S.; Hoffmann, H.; Kahimba, F. C.; Mutabazi, K. D.
Factors influencing stunting among children in rural Tanzania: an agro-climatic zone perspective
(Springer) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
Factors influencing stunting among children in rural Tanzania: an agro-climatic zone perspective
(Springer, 2017-04) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
This paper analyzed stunting in children in Tanzania and its linkages to agro-climatic conditions and related factors, unraveling the complex interactions of determinants of under-nutrition in two contrasting regions of Tanzania. We used logistic regression models to establish relationships between stunting and multiple variables belonging to different domains. The prevalence of stunting and severe stunting in children was 41% and 21% respectively, while 11% of women had a Body Mass Index of below 18.5. Results also indicate that 17% of children and 16% of women were anaemic. Regression analysis showed that major determinants of child stunting in the semi-arid Dodoma region are cultivated land size, gender and age of the child, duration of breastfeeding, household size, use of iodized salt and the distance to a water source. In sub-humid Morogoro, cultivated land size, a child’s age, duration of breastfeeding, literacy status of the mother and Body Mass Index of the mother predict stunting. We discuss how these factors influence the nutrition status of children in each agro-climatic region. The pooled model provided strong evidence to link agro-climatic zone characteristics to stunting among children. It is recommended that nutrition interventions should be specific to agroclimatic environments. Implementing agro-climatic sensitive interventional actions may help to reduce undernutrition and food insecurity in specific areas.
Harvesting vegetables from the kitchen garden: an educative and sustainable approach to improve dietary practices and nutritional status among rural families in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
Harvesting vegetables from the kitchen garden: an educative and sustainable approach to improve dietary practices and nutritional status among rural families in Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2019) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.; Lambert, C.; Biesalski, H. K.
Undernutrition continues to inflict significant social, health and economic consequences in developing countries, Tanzania inclusive. The aim of the present study was to implement, monitor and assess the impact of bag gardening and household nutrition education on dietary practices and nutritional status in rural villages in Tanzania. Nutrition education covered various gaps observed in a preceded nutrition survey (baseline). Bag gardening practical demonstrations and hand on implementation skills were carried out to the participating 120 households. McNemar and marginal homogeneity tests were conducted to compare the baseline to endline results for each section of the questionnaire. Results indicated that at baseline only 27% of households had a high Dietary Diversity Score as compared to 52% at endline. Daily and weekly consumption rates increased by 10-50% from baseline to endline periods.There were significant differences in knowledge aspects of factors influencing inclusion of vegetables in a meal, knowledge of bag and cultivation of vegetables in a bag garden, receiving nutrition education before, knowledge of foods that increase intake of fibre, knowledge of food groups and iron deficiency anaemia between the baseline and endline time points with p<0.05.The intervention increased consumption of green leafy vegetables, dietary diversity and nutrition knowledge of participants in the topics covered including general nutrition, nutrition requirements for specific groups, preparation and preservation of foods, improving nutrition through kitchen gardens and tips for improving health. We recommend progressing this type of intervention further by selecting foods containing high vitamin A amounts to be included in bag gardens.
Nutrient intake of women of child bearing age from two Agro-climatic zones of Rural Areas in Tanzania
(Tajas) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.
Nutrient intake of women of child bearing age from two Agro-climatic zones of Rural Areas in Tanzania
(Tajas, 2020) Mbwana, H. A.; Kinabo, J.
Nutrient deficiencies impose significant public health problems in many developing countries affecting especially women of child bearing age and children. A household cross-sectional survey involving a sample of 351 households was conducted in four villages of Morogoro and Dodoma regions, representing two different agro-climatic regions, to examine nutrient intake from food in rural women of childbearing age. The respondent was the mother/caregiver in the household. Dietary intake data were collected by using a quantitative 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire. Nutrient intake was analyzed using NutriSurvey program. Nutrients consumed was classified into energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin B 1 , vitamin B 2 , vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 , folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and zinc. The mean daily intake of energy was 1976 Kcal (95% CI: 1886.1-2066.5) for Morogoro and 1651 Kcal (95% CI: 1553.0-1747.0) for Dodoma. Daily mean intake of protein was 61.2g (95% CI: 56.9-65.4) for Morogoro and 36.7g (95% CI: 32.3- 41.1) for Dodoma. Mean fat intake was 33.0g (95% CI: 30.1-35.9) for Morogoro and 23.9g (95% CI: 20.8-27.0) for Dodoma. Vitamin A (retinol equivalents) intake in Dodoma was higher than the recommended amounts at 823.4g (95% CI: 710.1-916.1) but lower than the recommended intake in Morogoro at 335.3g (95% CI: 271.0-400.0). Even though both districts did not meet the recommended nutrient intake for vitamin B12, Dodoma had the lowest intake at 0.6mg (95% CI: 0.31, 0.83) compared to Morogoro 1.5 mg (95% CI: 1.13, 1.84). The results of this study suggest different nutrient consumption patterns between Dodoma and Morogoro based on the agro- climatic condition of the districts which also influence the type of foods produced in particular areas. This calls for support for education on food and dietary intake that purposely accentuate increasing production and consumption of a diversity of foods preferred in a certain agro-climatic environment. This should include consumption of animal source foods to increase the intake of nutrients.
Social organization, constraints and opportunities for kitchen garden implementation: ScalA and ScalA-FS assessment tools in Morogoro and Dodoma, Tanzania
(Springer / CrossMark) Bonatti, M.; Larissa, H. I. R.; Graef, F.; Mbwana, H. A.; Rybak, C.; Lana, M.; Sieber, S.
Status and scope of kitchen gardening of green leafy vegetables in rural Tanzania: implications for nutrition interventions
(Springer Nature B.V.) Rybak, C.; Mbwana, H. A.; Bonatti, M.; Sieber, S.; Müller, K.
Status and scope of kitchen gardening of green leafy vegetables in rural Tanzania: implications for nutrition interventions
(Springer Nature B.V., 2018) Rybak, C.; Mbwana, H. A.; Bonatti, M.; Sieber, S.; Müller, K.
Kitchen gardens in Tanzania are currently facing a variety of threats. However, many households depend on basic farming activities to meet household food needs. The objective of this study was to describe the current status and scope of kitchen gardening for improving the food security situation in the Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania. A cluster sampling method was used to select 383 households. The main respondents were mothers or caregivers responsible for food preparation. Techniques for data collection were observations, focus group discussions and face to face interviews. A small proportion (2.6%) of residents in the semi-arid Dodoma region had a kitchen garden as compared to the sub-humid Morogoro region (9.9%). Sweet potato leaves, cassava leaves, pumpkin leaves, cowpea leaves and African egg plant were the principal vegetables grown in the two areas. The market provided vegetables to 87% of the surveyed households. Vegetables sold at the market were mostly in the dried form, fresh vegetables in the market being those cultivated near ponds, especially during dry seasons. About 90% and 55% of the kitchen garden produce was used for home consumption in Dodoma and Morogoro, respectively.Women contributed 80% and 75%of the total labor for managing kitchen gardens in Dodoma and Morogoro, respectively. Socio-cultural factors (food habit and demand and supply of food materials), environmental factors (climatic factors, water availability), types of soils and farmers’ local knowledge and understanding (traditional knowledge and practices, formal and non-formal education) were the key determinants of vegetables grown in the traditional kitchen garden. Kitchen gardening was practised by few of the surveyed households and the diversity of the planted vegetables was low. Factors that influenced the presence of a kitchen gardens at household level were: sex of the household head (p = 0.002), literacy status of the mother/caregiver (p = 0.001) and the education level (p = 0.001) of the respondent.
Women’s insights on anaemia and the impact of nutrition training: An intervention study among rural women in Dodoma, Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis) Mbwana, H. A.
Women’s insights on anaemia and the impact of nutrition training: An intervention study among rural women in Dodoma, Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2020-11) Mbwana, H. A.
An interventional pre-post study was conducted to evaluate rural women’s insights on anaemia and the effects of nutritional training on the knowledge and haemoglobin (Hb) levels among women of reproductive age (19–45 years) in Dodoma, Tanzania. The respondent was the mother/woman or any other person responsible for food preparation and serving in the household. Baseline and endline data on demographic and socioeconomic information, women’s insights on anaemia, knowledge gaps of mothers’/caregivers’ in nutrition, iron deficiency and iron-rich foods were collected using a face to face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Haemoglobin concentration of the women was measured at baseline and endline using a portable battery-operated electronic HemoCue Hemoglobinometer. Training was done once every month for three months consecutively. A total of 350 women were involved at baseline and 260 women at endline. Among all respondents, only 18% of women had baseline knowledge regarding the causes of anaemia which was increased significantly to 72% after the intervention. At baseline, 19% of women had haemoglobin levels of below 12.0 g/dl this number decreased to 13% during the endline survey. The results indicated a significant association between a woman having consumed green leafy vegetables in the previous 24 hours preceding the survey and haemoglobin levels during the endline period. The findings of this study indicate that the nutrition education given directly to rural women could have some impact in improving women’s knowledge and haemoglobin status.