Masters Thesis
Iron and zinc deficiencies are among the public health concern in school children in
developing countries. This study investigated factors that predict the intention of
caregivers to feed pearl millet to school children in Kongwa district. A cross-sectional
study was carried whereas 128 caregivers of school children aged 5 – 12 years were
interviewed on the construct based on the combined model of Theory of Planned
Behaviour (TPB) and Health Behaviour (HBM). Correlations and multiple linear
regressions were performed to measure association between constructs and to identify
predictive constructs. Mann-Whitney were used for score comparison. Knowledge about
pearl millet and it’s relation to health (β = 0.536, P = 0.000) was strong predictor of health
behaviour identity. Health behaviour identity (β= 0.336, P = 0.000) was significantly
predicted intention. Cues to action as an external factors seemed to be the best predictor
for intention to feed pearl millet standardized (β = 0.231, P = 0.023). Finally, intention
was significantly predicted behaviour (β = 0.774, p = 0.044). We found that caregivers
had the intention to feed pearl millet to their children and which can be increased by;
increasing knowledge on iron, zinc and pearl millet to caregivers by providing various
community trainings in order to increase influence on the decision of caregivers pearl
millet to their school going children.
Africa RISING Project