Nutritional status and feeding practices of under-five children in Simanjiro District, Tanzania

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Nutritional status of underfive children in a pastoral community in Simanjiro District, Tanzania

A study was conducted in Simanjiro district in northern Tanzania to determine the nutritional status of underfive children in a pastoral community. Weight and height measurements were carried out on 250 children and that of mean upper arm circumference (MUAC) on 226 children. The z-scores of weight-for-age, weight-for-height and height-for-age indicated that 31.2% of the children were underweight and 6.0% were severely underweight. Wasting was observed in 17.2% children of whom 3.2% were severely wasted. Severely stunted children were 3.2% while 14% were moderately stunted. Measurements of MUAC indicated that 35% and 3.5% of the children were moderately and severely undernourished, respectively. The nutritional status of the children under study was slightly lower than the national average. In conclusion, malnutrition in Simanjiro district is prevalent, and therefore, appropriate multidisciplinary approach on nutrition education, environmental sanitation and hygienic practices at family and community level need to be promoted to reduce childhood illnesses thereby increasing child health and nutritional status. Keywords: nutrition, children, pastoral community, Tanzania Tanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol. 8(1) 2006: 32-3

A Prospective Study of Growth and Biomarkers of Exposure to Aflatoxin and Fumonisin during Early Childhood in Tanzania

Background: Aflatoxin and fumonisin are toxic food contaminants. Knowledge about effects of their exposure and coexposure on child growth is inadequate. Objective: We investigated the association between child growth and aflatoxin and fumonisin exposure in Tanzania. Methods: A total of 166 children were recruited at 6–14 months of age and studied at recruitment, and at the 6th and 12th month following recruitment. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for plasma aflatoxin–albumin adducts (AF-alb) using ELISA, and urinary fumonisin B1 (UFB1) using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and growth index z-scores were computed. Results: AF-alb geometric mean concentrations (95% CIs) were 4.7 (3.9, 5.6), 12.9 (9.9, 16.7), and 23.5 (19.9, 27.7) pg/mg albumin at recruitment, 6 months, and 12 months from recruitment, respectively. At these respective sampling times, geometric mean UFB1 concentrations (95% CI) were 313.9 (257.4, 382.9), 167.3 (135.4, 206.7), and 569.5 (464.5, 698.2) pg/mL urine, and the prevalence of stunted children was 44%, 55%, and 56%, respectively. UFB1 concentrations at recruitment were negatively associated with length-for-age z-scores (LAZ) at 6 months (p = 0.016) and at 12 months from recruitment (p = 0.014). The mean UFB1 of the three sampling times (at recruitment and at 6 and 12 months from recruitment) in each child was negatively associated with LAZ (p < 0.001) and length velocity (p = 0.004) at 12 months from recruitment. The negative association between AF-alb and child growth did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Exposure to fumonisin alone or coexposure with aflatoxins may contribute to child growth impairment

Exploring the relationship between chronic undernutrition and asymptomatic malaria in Ghanaian children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A moderate association has been found between asymptomatic parasitaemia and undernutrition. However, additional investigation using the gold standard for asymptomatic parasitaemia confirmation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is needed to validate this association. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples from children less than five years of age in a rural Ghanaian community were used to determine if an association exists between chronic undernutrition and PCR-confirmed cases of asymptomatic malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 214 children less than five years of age from a community near Kumasi, Ghana. Blood samples and anthropometric measurements from these children were collected during physical examinations conducted in January 2007 by partners of the Barekuma Collaborative Community Development Programme.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Findings from the logistic model predicting the odds of asymptomatic malaria indicate that children who experienced mild, moderate or severe stunting were not more likely to have asymptomatic malaria than children who were not stunted. Children experiencing anaemia had an increased likelihood (OR = 4.15; 95% CI: 1.92, 8.98) of asymptomatic malaria. Similarly, increased spleen size, which was measured by ultrasound, was also associated with asymptomatic malaria (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.44, 3.28). Fast breathing, sex of the child, and age of the child were not significantly associated with the asymptomatic malaria.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No significant association between chronic undernutrition and presence of asymptomatic malaria was found. Children who experience anaemia and children who have splenomegaly are more likely to present asymptomatic malaria. Programmes aimed at addressing malaria should continue to include nutritional components, especially components that address anaemia.</p

Survey of indigenous knowledge on gathering, processing and use of edible wild mushrooms for household food security and income generation in Masasi, Tanzania

A survey was conducted in Masasi town and Ndanda in Masasi District, Tanzania on the importance of indigenous knowledge on gathering edible wild mushrooms (EWM) and its contribution to household food security and income. A total of 333 farmers (255 females, 78 males) with age ranging between 30-50 years were interviewed using pre-tested structured questionnaire. More than 92% of farmers were knowledgeable on EWM.The study indicated that 91% of respondent farmers consumed EWM; more than 89% appreciated EWM as food source; more than 80% purchased EWM; more than 67% regarded EWM gathering as income generating activity and more than 58% of farmers consumed processed EWM. More than 70% of farmers in Masasi town and Ndanda? were foundconsuming EWM that were prepared as relish, or stew, or soup and were eatenwith rice or maize, cassava or sorghum stiff porridges. During wet season, EWM were eaten up to three times per week. More than 89% of farmers processed EWM mainly by sun-drying and stored them in plastic bags or wrapping in the newspapers or in clay pots. Masasi districtcommunity lacked oyster mushroom cultivation technology because no training had been conducted on this new crop. Since EWM was regarded as a household food security, 66% Masasi and Ndanda farmers, respectively were eager to learn oyster mushroom cultivation technology as a new crop.Key words: oyster mushroom, food source, consumption, processin

Prevalence of anaemia and parasitic infections among under five children in Simanjiro District, Tanzania

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Nutritional quality and utilization of local and improved cowpea varieties in some Regions in Tanzania

Cowpeas are grown for their leaves and grains both of which are used as relish or side dishes together with the staple food. Little information is available on the nutritional quality of local and improved cowpea varieties grown in Tanzania as well as the recipes in which they are ingredients. This study was done to investigate cowpea utilization in Iringa and Dodoma regions of Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey was carried out where a total of 517 farmers were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Proximate and mineral composition of different varieties of cowpea grains and leaves were determined using standard AOAC methods. More than half of the households interviewed consumed cowpeas in one or more forms. Most cowpea recipes included them as relish being eaten with rice or stiff porridge (ugali), a mixture of dehulled maize and cowpea grains (kande) and cowpea buns (bagia). Improved cowpea varieties had relatively higher fat content ranging from 8 to 11.2% compared to local varieties (5.4%). Local cowpea grains had higher levels of calcium varying between 958.1 and 992.4 mg/kg than dehulled cowpea (360 to 364 mg/kg) and cowpea flour (303 to 311 mg/kg). Zinc ranged from 32.6 to 31.5 mg/kg, while iron content ranged from 27.6 to 28.9 mg/kg. Fresh cowpea leaves had the highest levels of minerals, with calcium varying between 1800.6 and 1809.6 mg/kg, zinc between 36.1 and 36.0 mg/kg and iron between 497.0 and 499.5 mg/kg. The improved cowpea varieties, IT99K-7212-2-1 (23.8 mg/kg) and IT96D-733 (21.2 mg/kg) had the highest iron content. IT99K-7-21-2-2-1 (32.2 mg/kg) and IT97K499-38 (28.3 mg/kg) had the highest zinc concentration. The bagia (cowpea buns), prepared in Dodoma had higher mineral composition, calcium (893mg/kg), zinc (13.7 mg/kg) and iron (16.3 mg/kg) compared to those prepared in Iringa; calcium (32.6mg/kg), zinc (4.96 mg/kg) and iron (5.2 mg/kg). The cowpea daily per capita consumption for the majority of the households surveyed ranged from 41 to 200 gm. The contribution of micro and macro nutrients is significant for both developed lines and local varieties but with leaves having greater mineral content than the grains; hence, promotion of consumption of the leaves alongside the grains would be of nutritional advantage. Additionally, farmers should be encouraged to plant the higher yielding cowpea varieties and preferred local varieties

BASAL METABOLIC RATE AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF RURAL FARMERS IN MAGUBIKE VILLAGE, KILOSA DISTRICT, TANZANIA

ABSTRACT Measurement of basal metabolic rate (BMR) provides an important baseline for the determination of an individual&apos;s total energy requirement. The study sought to establish human energy expenditure of rural farmers in Magubike village in Tanzania, through determination of BMR, physical activity level (PAL) and total energy expenditure (TEE). In addition, the study intended to provide an indication of the level of energy requirement for the rural people of Tanzania. The objective of the study was to determine energy expenditure of farmers in comparison to the mean caloric intake per capita and the WHO/FAO recommended energy requirements for developing countries. A cross-sectional study design involving 33 male and 31 female farmers was conducted on randomly selected households. Basal Metabolic rate and household activities were measured by indirect calorimetry, using the Douglas bag technique. Physical activity Level was measured by twenty-four hour activity diary and TEE calculated as a product of BMR and PAL. Men&apos;s BMR was 4.7 MJ/day while that of women was 4.3 MJ/day. Farmers mean PAL was 2.20 ± 0.25 in men and 2.05 ± 0.23 in females and TEE was 10.24 MJ/day in men and 8.57 MJ/day in women. Both BMR and TEE were higher in men than in women. The measured energy expenditure for digging and weeding were 1.57 ± 0.3 kJ/min; 1.36 ± 0.31kJ/min in men and 1.58 ± 0.3 kJ/min; 1.49 ± 0.33 kJ/min in women. It was revealed that total energy expenditure of farmers in Magubike village was high with the values being above the mean daily calorie requirement per capita for Tanzania (8.15 MJ/day) but within the WHO/FAO recommended energy requirements (11.26 MJ/day) for developing countries. High energy expenditure was attributed to high energy levels spent in farm activities which were manual and labour intensive. This is likely to be the situation in many rural areas of Tanzania. More work on measurement of costs of farm activities and farmers work capacity are necessary to provide recommendations on energy needs of rural farmers