Effects of information on knowledge gaps about micronutrients deficiencies and biofortified food in Tanzania
Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Micronutrients include significant vitamins and minerals needed for better growth and strong immunity. Pregnant women are vulnerable due to their role in bearing children. The risk of maternal and neonatal deaths globally is between 2.5 to 3.4 million yearly. Vitamins are crucial for energy production, immune function and blood clotting. Minerals play essential roles in growth, bone health, a fluid balance which are essential to a good start in life and robust growth and development of the child before they are born. Biofortification seems to be a cost-effective method where potential nutrients are added to food after production from factories or through conventional breeding for benefiting rural populations. An online survey was conducted in Tanzania to understand the knowledge gaps associated with micronutrients deficiency especially for vitamin A, iodine, iron, and zinc. The survey included six treatments i.e., Control, Information, FlagInformation, Named, NamedInformation and NamedFlagInformation. Results show variation among respondents who heard about micronutrients deficiency with 78.48% for iron, 76.1% for Vitamin A, 68.1% for iodine and 54.86% for zinc. Also, the score for females and high-poverty households assigned to the control group was over 60% for correctly identifying the negative health effects associated with vitamin A deficiency and between 34-48% for the other micronutrients. Respondents were randomized to an information treatment scored between 24-45% higher for vitamin A, iron, and zinc. ☐ Keywords: Micronutrient’s deficiency, Neonatal, Anemic, Maternal, Infant, Vitamins, Minerals
Description
Keywords
Anemic, Infant nutrition, Maternal nutrition, Micronutrient's deficiency, Minerals, Neonatal