The contribution of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) to vitamin A intake and the influence of income in rural Kenya.

Despite the increased recognition of African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) as important source of vitamin A, there is still paucity of research highlighting on the vitamin A intake attributed to them. The level and the extent of contribution of ALVs could inform programming, monitoring and evaluation of vitamin A-related nutrition and development programs. The study aimed at investigating the level of contribution of ALVs to household vitamin A intake and the influence of household monthly incomein a rural setting, through use of selected data from a cross-sectional vitamin A consumption survey in Butere-Mumias District, western Kenya. A multistage cluster sampling procedure was used to select 814 households considered for the survey. It was found that plant sources contributed about 43.1% of total household vitamin A intake. ALVs contributed 65.7% of vitamin A from plant sources and 32.7 % of household vitamin A intake. Predominant ALV was the cowpea leaves which accounted for about 45% of vitamin A contributed by ALVs, 34% of the contribution of plant sources and 14.7% of household vitamin A intake. Although the influence ofmonthly income on the level of vitamin A from ALVs was not conclusive, there were some indications that lower intake from ALVs was positively correlated with lower incomes and vice versa. Income was weakly and negatively associated with household vitamin A intake (r=-1.92, 3.7% of variance explained), and the opposite was true for the proportion of income spent on food verses household vitamin A intake (r=1.64,2.7% of variance explained). It was apparent that ALVs formed an important dietary source of vitamin A in rural households in western Kenya with cowpea leaves as a predominant contributor. In areas of similar environmental conditions, ALVs production, marketing and consumption should be promoted. There was no evidence that increase in income among the rural folk may likely improve ALVs consumption and vitamin A intake. It is thus recommended that development programs andpolicies consider ALVs as significant source of vitamin A, and that increments in incomes per se may not significantly influence household vitamin A intake and from ALVs

Potential role of street foods as micronutrients source among low income groups in Nairobi, Kenya

Although more than 40% of Nairobi’s lower-income groups consume street foods, there is paucity of information available for urban policy makers and programmers on the potential contribution of street foods to micronutrient intake. A cross-sectional survey and a non-repetitive 24-hour dietary recall were employed to determine household intake of vitamin A, iron and zinc, and the proportion of the intakes from street foods in the selected Kangemi and Dandora estates in Nairobi, Kenya (low andmiddle-low income groups respectively). Results indicate that there was no significant statistical difference in the consumption pattern of street foods between the two sites. Absolute vitamin A, iron and zinc intake from street foods were comparatively lower among the low income groups as compared to middle-low income groups, these variations were not significant except for zinc. Street foods were less important vitamin A source in Kangemi (4.4% of total intake and 2.64% of the RDA) than in Dandora (26% of total intake and 9.46% of the RDA). The proportion of those whoobtained at least 50% of total vitamin A from street foods was also significantly higher in Dandora. Iron intake contributed by street foods significantly differed with Dandora being higher (30%) than Kangemi (21%). Although not significantly different, those who obtained at least 50% iron from street foods was higher in Dandora than Kangemi. Iron intake from street foods in both sites (15mg/AE in Kangemi and 25mg/AE in Dandora) was sufficient to meet the RDA for iron for adults (5-28mg/AE). Zinc intake contributed by street foods was not significantlyhigher in Dandora (25.2%) than Kangemi (16.7%). The proportion of those who obtained at least 50% of their zinc intake from the street foods was also insignificantly higher in Dandora (12%) than Kangemi (7%). Overall, street foods are better contributors of iron (26% of total intake) and zinc (21%) than vitamin A (12%). Apparent factors that tend to potentially influence street foods contribution to micronutrient nutrition are economic status, availability and proximity to street foods,consumption pattern and the type of street foods sold. Street food trade deserves recognition by urban policy makers in order to improve the opportunities of vendors to support their livelihood and to ensure the availability of affordable, safe and nutritious food for low income consumers