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Feeding practices are the critical determinant of the growth and development of children during
the first 1000 days of life with a long time effect on adulthood. This study aimed at assessing the
diversity and safety complementary foods in terms of aflatoxins (AF). A total of 290 households
with infants aged between 6-24 months were recruited from 10 villages in Singida District.
Mothers were interviewed on infant feeding practices and handling of food crops using a structured
questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of index child were taken, followed by collection of
1 to 3 cereals based food samples used in complementary feeding in 180 households. A total of
218 flour samples made from maize, sorghum, millet, composite and fermented-germinated
sorghum locally known as magai and magai drink; from magai flour were collected. Food samples
were analyzed for aflatoxins using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Anthropometric measurements showed that 37.7% were stunted; 20.3% underweight and 8.3%
wasted. Furthermore, aflatoxin B1 was detected in 80 (36.7%) out of 218 complementary food
samples. Aflatoxin B1 levels ranged from 0.33 to 23.75 µg/kg whereas, total aflatoxins were
detected in 185 (84.9%) of 218 samples in a range of 0.47 to 289.28 µg/kg. However, mean dietary
exposure to all food were; magai drink (133.36 ng/kg body weight per day), composite flour (106.0
ng/kg body weight per day), maize flour (111.70 ng/kg body weight per day), sorghum flour (94.68
ng/kg body weight per day) and millet flour (92 ng/kg body weight per day). |
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