Knowledge and Consumption pattern of Vitamin A rich-foods available to Rural Communities in North Western Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To determine knowledge and consumption pattern of vitamin A foods rich foods available to rural communities in Northwestern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in North West zone of Nigeria reported to have the highest level of Vitamin A Deficiency in the country. Three states namely Kaduna, Kebbi and Kwara were purposively selected to cover the geographical spread of the zone and 300 households were randomly selected from 12 communities spread over 6 Local Government Areas. The households were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methodologies to collect data on consumption and utilization of vitamin A rich foods.
Result: The survey revealed that most food sources rich in vitamin A were available to the rural communities on seasonal basis but the technologies aimed at storing and preserving them were not readily available. Due to lack of knowledge, some of the household subject some foods rich in vitamin A to traditional medicine use rather than using them to enrich their meals.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the technologies for storage and preservation of vitamin A rich foods is very important in stabilizing price and making the foods available all year round, as most of the fruits and vegetables are unaffordable at off-seasons. There is need for strategic policy that has direct effects of creating awareness on the importance of vitamin A in the rural communities in North western Nigeria.

Keywords: Knowledge, consumption pattern, vitamin A rich foods, rural Nigeria