Provision of vitamin A through utilization of local food materials in rural parts of Western Kenya.
Shiundu K. M., Oiye S. K. M., Oniang'o R.
Author Email: kmshiundu@yahoo.co.uk
African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 7 : article 8
Abstract : The high prevalence and negative consequences of deficiencies resulting from inadequate intake of iron, iodine and vitamin A have resulted in focused global efforts to alleviate them. Vitamin A deficiency that has serious consequences can be prevented by consumption of vitamin A-rich foods. This study was conducted to determine the viability of locally available foods in providing vitamin A to the impoverished rural populations in Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Butere-Mumias District in Western Province from December 2003 to February 2004. The potential contribution of local foods to the provision of vitamin A in the diets of children aged 12-71 months in Butere and Khwisero, which are adjacent divisions, was compared based on the Helen Keller International (HKI) method. The vitamin A rich foods consumed in the 2 study areas were dark green leafy vegetables, kales, papaya, margarine, orange/yellow fleshed sweet potatoes, eggs and ripe mangoes. Butere division had an ongoing nutrition intervention project to promote African leafy vegetables, while Khwisero division had not. Of the 16 clusters surveyed, vitamin A consumption was insufficient in 6 of 8 communities in Butere and in 3 of 8 communities in Khwisero. The frequency of consumption of vitamin A-rich foods in the study area was below the threshold values based on the HKI method. The consumption of these foods was not regular as planting was done on an ad hoc basis especially in Khwisero division in areas that were not reached by the on-going campaign in Butere division. Vitamin A deficiency was most likely a public health problem in the 2 divisions. This study recommends increased activities in the area to control vitamin A deficiency, prophylactic vitamin A supplementation and efforts to increase vitamin A consumption.