Complementary feeding practices among children under two years old in west Africa: a review

The burden of child malnutrition is still high in West African countries with 19.2 million stunted children and increases rapidly during the weaning period. This has been attributed to inappropriate complementary feeding practices. To our knowledge, few studies have tried to review the state of complementary feeding in the sub-region. This review aimed to provide an overview of current complementary feeding practices in West Africa in order to identify issues that should be targeted for ensuring optimal infant and young child nutrition. Articles and reports published from 2006 to 2016 were selected and reviewed. All documents were accessed through PubMed, Google scholar, and FreeFullPDF databases. Relevant and current documents focused on infant and young child (IYC) feeding from World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) were identified by using electronic searches via the Google platform. Complementary feeding practices are suboptimal in West Africa compared to the Northern Africa. Porridges and family dishes are the two main categories of complementary foods given to children and there are nutritionally inadequate. Enriched flours have been developed by using local diversity of food resources and improved food process like dehulling, fermentation, germination, malting, but their use remains low. Socio-economic, cultural and geographical factors were the determinants influencing IYC feeding practices at mother and household levels. Besides food availability, social, cultural, economic and geographic determinants were interrelated in a complex way to affect child feeding practices. This paper contributes to a much-needed evidence-based focus on the state of complementary feeding practices. As a key component to child survival, the improvement of complementary feeding has been shown to be the most effective in enhancing child growth and reducing stunting. Stakeholders such as policy and decision-makers, development partners, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations should develop strategies for making enriched flours and nutritionally dense foods more accessible and affordable. Nutritional interventions should emphasize the promotion of adequate complementary feeding practices including feeding frequency, quality and quantity of diet and food safety in order to reduce malnutrition. Ongoing national plans and strategies for optimal IYC feeding should be encouraged to reduce child malnutrition.Keywords: complementary feeding, practices, determinants, nutrition plans, West Afric

Contribution of local agrobiodiversity to complementary foods for 6 to 23 months old children in southern rural Benin

In rural Benin, malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiencies, contrasts with a rich agrobiodiversity that abounds in cultivated or wild foods that are potential sources of micronutrients. This paradox leads us to examine the role of local agrobiodiversity in the diet of children living in two agroecological zones of southern Benin. This study involved 1,263 children aged 6-23 months from 17 randomly selected villages in Southern Benin. A multiple-pass 24-h recall method on two non-consecutive days with the estimation of the consumed portions was used to collect dietary intake data. Semistructured questionnaires were used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data to explore factors driving agrobiodiversity food consumption, especially wild foods. Nonparametric analyses based on gamma distribution were performed to establish the effect of wild food consumption on vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc intakes. Conditional inference tree-classification models were performed to identify factors driving wild food consumption. Among a total of 48 local foods that were reported as consumed by children, 11 were from wild species. The contributions of total local agrobiodiversity to nutrient intake of complementary foods was between 49% (calcium) and 98% (vitamin A). Cultivated species contributed to local agrobiodiversity foods for 57% (calcium) and 96 % (zinc). The semi-domesticated species have a contribution of between 2% (zinc) and 35% (calcium) to nutrient intake. Wild species contribution to nutrient intake was between 1% (zinc) and 9% for vitamin C. Wild foods consumption correlated significantly and positively with calcium and vitamin A intakes among children. Sociolinguistic factors such as ethnicity and religion of the household head were determinants of wild food consumption. These findings suggest that sensitization on the nutritional importance of the wild foods including socio-linguistic factors may be necessary to promote wild foods’ consumption. This could be a good strategy to promote healthy diets in local communities.&nbsp

Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes of South Benin: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) adversely affects health-related quality of life (QoL). However, little is known about the QoL of diabetic patients in Benin, where the disease is a growing concern. Thus, this study aims to assess the QoL and its associated factors among T2D patients in Cotonou, southern Benin. Methods: A total of 300 T2D patients (age > 18 years) were enrolled, and the diabetes-specific quality of life (DQoL) and Natividad self-care behaviors’ (SCB) instruments were used for data collection. DQoL scores were calculated, and factors associated with DQoL explored using logistic regression. Results: The mean of patients’ DQoL was 38.1 ± 4.1, with 43% having low QoL. In terms of DQoL, 56.3% reported a high diabetes impact, followed by low life satisfaction (53%) and high worry about diabetes (32.7%). In the logistic regression analysis, education, marital status, occupation, family history of diabetes, complications, and social support were associated with DQoL. SCB factors, including healthy eating, problem-solving, coping strategies, and risk reduction, were significant predictors of DQoL. Conclusions: Patients’ empowerment, starting with self-management education, is essential to improve the QoL of T2D patients in Cotonou. However, the programs need to target low education, low socioeconomic status, low social support, and overweight patients. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Réduction de la malnutrition chronique par une approche alimentaire: une étude pilote en milieu rural au sud-Bénin

La malnutrition infantile constitue un problème de santé publique au Bénin. Les causes les plus importantes sont les mauvaises pratiques d’alimentation et de nutrition des nourrissons et des jeunes enfants. L’objectif de cette étude était de tester l’efficacité d’une approche nutritionnelle d’intervention alimentaire sur l’état nutritionnel des enfants de 6 à 12 mois dans un village du Sud-Bénin. Un échantillon de 14 enfants a été soumis sur une période de 6 mois à la consommation d’une bouillie traditionnelle améliorée préparée à partir d’une farine de maïs, arachide et niébé et de malt. Leurs mères ont suivi de façon mensuelle des séances d’éducation nutritionnelle sur les bonnes pratiques d’alimentation, de nutrition, d’hygiène et d’assainissement et de santé des nourrissons et jeunes enfants. L’évolution de l’état nutritionnel des enfants a été appréciée par l’anthropométrie et les indicateurs des pratiques d’alimentation de complément. La situation de ces enfants a été comparée à celle de 15 autres ayant servi de témoins ; ces derniers ont bénéficié de leur régime alimentaire habituel. Au terme de l’intervention, il a été remarqué une amélioration des apports en énergie, protéines, vitamine A et fer et de la diversité alimentaire des enfants ayant bénéficié de la bouillie à base de farine enrichie. Au plan nutritionnel, cette amélioration n’a pas induit une amélioration significative de l’état nutritionnel des enfants ; elle a toutefois permis la non aggravation des cas de retard de croissance. L’ajout de sources de minéraux et vitamines à la farine pourrait permettre d’améliorer sa qualité.Mots clés: Retard de croissance, Farine enrichie, Maltage, Intervention nutritionnelle, BéninEnglish Title: Reduce stunting through food approach: a pilot study in rural area in southern BeninEnglish AbstractInfant malnutrition is a public health problem in Benin. The most important causes are inadequate feeding practices of infants and young children. The objective of this study was to appreciate the effect of a nutritional intervention approach on the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 12 months in a rural area of south Benin. A sample of 14 children consumed an improved traditional porridge prepared from corn, peanut, cowpea and maize-based malt during 6 months. Nutrition education sessions were monthly organized for mothers on children feeding and nutrition recommendations, hygiene, sanitation and health. The evolution of the nutritional status of children was assessed by anthropometry and indicators of complementary feeding practices. The situation of these children was compared with that of 15 others from a control group, who benefited their usual diet. At the end of the intervention, there was an improvement in the energy, protein, vitamin A and iron intake and the dietary diversity of children who benefited from the enriched flour porridge. This improvement did not lead to a significant improvement in the nutritional status of children; however, it allowed a non-aggravation of stunting cases. The addition of sources of minerals and vitamins to flour could improve the quality of the porridge.Keywords: Stunting, Enriched flour, Malting, Nutritional intervention, Beni

Formative Qualitative Research: Design Considerations for a Self-Directed Lifestyle Intervention for Type-2 Diabetes Patients Using Human-Centered Design Principles in Benin

Given the burgeoning prevalence of Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) in Benin and other sub-Saharan countries, tailored diabetes self-management interventions are urgently needed. Human-centered designs can be useful for identifying beneficiaries’ needs while keeping in mind feasibility and viability in a given context. Therefore, this study examined the acceptability and community perceptions of a self-directed lifestyle program for T2D patients in Cotonou, southern Benin. Data were collected using focus group discussions (FDGs) with T2D patients (n = 3; 32 participants), academic partners (n = 2; 16 participants), and community partners (n = 2; 12 participants). All FDG sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed from French into English verbatim, and analyzed using MAXQDA 2020. Most participants found the program to be useful and feasible. However, they preferred pictorial brochures as training materials and suggested community health workers as facilitators, assisted by clinicians or dietitians. They recommended community-based delivery mechanisms and mobile applications like WhatsApp to enhance patient adherence. Participants’ characteristics, tangible health benefits, incentives, and simple curriculums were cited as critical to program feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability. This study provides a deeper understanding of potential diabetes self-management participants’ needs and concerns. Moreover, it highlights the need to consider key stakeholders’ needs and voices for effective intervention. © 2022 by the authors.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Complementary feeding practices among children under two years old in west Africa: a review

The burden of child malnutrition is still high in West African countries with 19.2 million stunted children and increases rapidly during the weaning period. This has been attributed to inappropriate complementary feeding practices. To our knowledge, few studies have tried to review the state of complementary feeding in the sub-region. This review aimed to provide an overview of current complementary feeding practices in West Africa in order to identify issues that should be targeted for ensuring optimal infant and young child nutrition. Articles and reports published from 2006 to 2016 were selected and reviewed. All documents were accessed through PubMed, Google scholar, and FreeFullPDF databases. Relevant and current documents focused on infant and young child (IYC) feeding from World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) were identified by using electronic searches via the Google platform. Complementary feeding practices are suboptimal in West Africa compared to the Northern Africa. Porridges and family dishes are the two main categories of complementary foods given to children and there are nutritionally inadequate. Enriched flours have been developed by using local diversity of food resources and improved food process like dehulling, fermentation, germination, malting, but their use remains low. Socio-economic, cultural and geographical factors were the determinants influencing IYC feeding practices at mother and household levels. Besides food availability, social, cultural, economic and geographic determinants were interrelated in a complex way to affect child feeding practices. This paper contributes to a much-needed evidence-based focus on the state of complementary feeding practices. As a key component to child survival, the improvement of complementary feeding has been shown to be the most effective in enhancing child growth and reducing stunting. Stakeholders such as policy and decision-makers, development partners, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations should develop strategies for making enriched flours and nutritionally dense foods more accessible and affordable. Nutritional interventions should emphasize the promotion of adequate complementary feeding practices including feeding frequency, quality and quantity of diet and food safety in order to reduce malnutrition. Ongoing national plans and strategies for optimal IYC feeding should be encouraged to reduce child malnutrition.Peer Revie

Contribution of local agrobiodiversity to complementary foods for 6 to 23 months old children in southern rural Benin

In rural Benin, malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiencies, contrasts with a rich agrobiodiversity that abounds in cultivated or wild foods that are potential sources of micronutrients. This paradox leads us to examine the role of local agrobiodiversity in the diet of children living in two agroecological zones of southern Benin. This study involved 1,263 children aged 6-23 months from 17 randomly selected villages in Southern Benin. A multiple-pass 24-h recall method on two non-consecutive days with the estimation of the consumed portions was used to collect dietary intake data. Semistructured questionnaires were used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data to explore factors driving agrobiodiversity food consumption, especially wild foods. Nonparametric analyses based on gamma distribution were performed to establish the effect of wild food consumption on vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc intakes. Conditional inference tree-classification models were performed to identify factors driving wild food consumption. Among a total of 48 local foods that were reported as consumed by children, 11 were from wild species. The contributions of total local agrobiodiversity to nutrient intake of complementary foods was between 49% (calcium) and 98% (vitamin A). Cultivated species contributed to local agrobiodiversity foods for 57% (calcium) and 96 % (zinc). The semi-domesticated species have a contribution of between 2% (zinc) and 35% (calcium) to nutrient intake. Wild species contribution to nutrient intake was between 1% (zinc) and 9% for vitamin C. Wild foods consumption correlated significantly and positively with calcium and vitamin A intakes among children. Sociolinguistic factors such as ethnicity and religion of the household head were determinants of wild food consumption. These findings suggest that sensitization on the nutritional importance of the wild foods including socio-linguistic factors may be necessary to promote wild foods’ consumption. This could be a good strategy to promote healthy diets in local communities