Food Fortification: The Level of Awareness among Kenyan Consumers

More than half of the morbidity and mortality cases among children in Kenya are as a result of micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs). Food fortification is considered by the Government of Kenya as a feasible strategy for addressing MNDs. Worldwide, fortification has been proven to be effective since it does not require any change in dietary habits. Success of large-scale food fortification however may depend on consumer awareness of the fortification benefits. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 counties to collect information on fortification awareness using structured questionnaires. 1435 respondents were selected using the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling method. Data were analyzed using Stata version 14.0 and statistical significance p<0.05. The study participants were described using descriptive statistics. The association of sociodemographic characteristics and awareness of fortification was performed using binary logistic regression analysis. The median age of the study participants was 35 years. Only 28% of the respondents were aware of the term “fortification.” Of the respondents, about 27% heard of food fortification through radio. Vernacular radio emerged as the most preferred channel for communicating fortification information among 24.9% of the respondents. Although awareness of vitamins (32%) and minerals (1.5%) was limited, most (76%) respondents reported of existence of health risks for lacking micronutrients. Awareness of food fortification was significantly associated with respondents’ occupation (p< 0.001), household size (p=0.012), education levels (p<0.001), and age (p=0.025). There is need for a wider use of broadcast media sources to modify information and education materials to promote fortification awareness among Kenyan consumers.

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Low prevalence of active trachoma and associated factors among children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema District, Northwest Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

Italian Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s13052-021-01064-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kessete Ayelgn ◽

Tadesse Guadu ◽

Atalay Getachew

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Active Trachoma ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Background Trachoma is an infectious disease of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and transmitted via contact with eye discharge from infected persons and leading to blindness worldwide. Children less than 9 years of age affected more seriously. The disease is common where access to water and sanitation are limited. Objective To determine the prevalence of active trachoma and associated factors among children aged 1–9 years in rural communities of Metema District, West Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Method A community based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 792 children aged 1–9 years old in Metema district from April to May 2018. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and eye examination using binocular loupe to differentiate trachoma cases was the data collection methods and tools. The bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression model was employed for analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Results A total of 752 children aged l-9 years were enrolled in this study with response rate of 94.9%. The overall prevalence of active trachoma among the study participants was 11.8% (95% CI, 9.5–13.9). Unprotected source of water (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI: 2.5–8.9), lower household water consumption (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3–6.0), improper latrine utilization (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.5–6.7), and frequency of face washing once per day (AOR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.2–26.6) were the factors significantly associated with active trachoma. Conclusion The current study revealed a lower overall prevalence of active trachoma (11.8%) than the WHO threshold prevalence (20%) used to declare it as a severe public health problem. All residents and health professional should collaborate on trachoma prevention by implementing the WHO SAFE strategy- surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement for further trachoma elimination.

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Factors Influencing Nonrenewal of Health Insurance Membership in Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ashanti Region, Ghana

Advances in Public Health ◽

10.1155/2021/5575822 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Kwawukume Mawumenyo Aku ◽

Kofi Akohene Mensah ◽

Peter Twum ◽

Peter Agyei-Baffour ◽

Daniel Opoku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Insurance ◽

National Health Insurance ◽

National Health ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Systemic Factors ◽

The Government

Background. In the quest to prevent households from making catastrophic expenditures at the point of seeking healthcare, the government of Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance in 2003. However, people are reluctant to renew their membership. This study was, therefore, conducted to identify factors influencing the nonrenewal of National Health Insurance membership in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 respondents in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality to ascertain factors influencing the nonrenewal of health insurance membership status. Data were entered and analyzed using Stata version 14. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine sociodemographic factors, household factors, and systemic factors influencing the nonrenewal of health insurance status. Statistical significance for all testing was set as p ≤ 0.05 . Results. Sociodemographic factors such as gender (AOR = 0.531; CI = 0.287–0.985) and educational level (AOR = 5.268; CI = 1.130–24.551)) were associated with the nonrenewal of health insurance membership. Income levels in Ghana Cedis were 500–1000 (AOR = 0.216; CI = 0.075–0.617) and 1001–2000 (AOR = 0.085; CI = 0.019–0.383). Systemic decision on factors such as clients’ satisfaction (AOR = 0.149; CI = 0.035–0.640), making copayment (AOR = 0.152; CI = 0,068–0.344), acquiring all prescribed drugs (AOR = 4.191; CI = 2.027–8.668), and awareness of mobile renewal (AOR = 3.139; CI = 1.462–6.739) was associated with nonrenewal of membership. Conclusions. The nonrenewal of health insurance membership was influenced by sociodemographic, household, and systemic factors. Therefore, the Municipal Health Directorate and the National Health Insurance Authority have to work on these factors to reach the target of 100% active coverage in the municipality.

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Knowledge of prevention of COVID-19 among the general people in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study in Rajshahi district

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243410 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0243410

Author(s):

Md. Masud Rana ◽

Md. Reazul Karim ◽

Md. Abdul Wadood ◽

Md. Mahbubul Kabir ◽

Md. Mahidul Alam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Income ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Nuclear Family ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government

Background Until now, no vaccine or effective drug is available for the control, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19. Preventive measures are the only ways to be protected from the disease and knowledge of the people about the preventive measures is a vital matter. Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of the general people in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh regarding the COVID-19 preventive measures. Methodology This cross sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 25, 2020. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire from 436 adult respondents selected by using a mixed sampling technique. Frequency analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression model were utilized in this study. SPSS (IBM, Version 22) was used for data analysis. 95% confidence interval and p-value = 0.05 were accepted for statistical significance. Results Only 21.6% of the respondents had good knowledge of the COVID-19 preventive measures. The highest 67.2% of them knew that washing hands with soap could prevent the disease, but contrarily, the highest 72.5% did not know that avoidance of touching mouth, nose, and eyes without washing hands was a preventive measure. Only 28.4% and 36.9% of the respondents knew that maintaining physical distancing and avoiding mass gatherings were measures of prevention of COVID-19 respectively. The younger age (≤25 years), low family income (≤15,000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT), occupation others than business and service, and nuclear family had the lower odds of having no/less knowledge about the preventive measures. Conclusions The knowledge level of the general people regarding prevention of COVID-19 was alarmingly low in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh, health policy makers and donor agencies should consider the findings and take immediate steps for improving knowledge of the public about prevention of the disease.

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Frequency and Determinants of Obesity/Overweight among Undergraduate Students

10.53350/pjmhs2115102835 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 2835-2837

Author(s):

Saima Naz Mohsin ◽

Muddassir Barkat ◽

Atiq Ahmad ◽

Ambreen Muddassir ◽

Rizwan Jameel

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

High Frequency ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Soft Drink ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Participants ◽

Overweight Or Obesity

Objectives: To determine the frequency of overweight or obese among undergraduates and enlist the determinants of overweight or obese among undergraduates. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore from 1st February 2021 to 31st July 2021. Methodology: Two hundred undergraduates aged 15-25 years were included who anonymously provide the information related to BMI and information on their life style and dietary and physical habits. Results: Seventy eight (39%) undergraduates students were found as overweight or obese and 122 (61%) were as normal weight. There was a significant association between gender and overweight or obese being higher among females (p=0.04) and a highly significant association was found between residence in hostel and overweight or obesity (p=0.000). Significant association of physical activity (p=0.000), place of breakfast (p=0.000), soft drink usage (p=0.004), snack taking between breakfast and lunch (p=0.000), tea habit >2 times/day (p=0.001) and sleep duration (p=0.000) were observed among study participants. Conclusion: High frequency of overweight or obesity was found among undergraduates. Poor dietary habits and inactive physical life were main factors those were associated with overweight or obesity. Counselling can be done for these students for adopting preventive lifestyle in order to prevent overweight or obesity and its consequences. Key words:Frequency, Determinants, Obesity, Undergraduate students

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Determination of Iodine Content of Commercially Available Table Salts at the Retailer Level in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety ◽

10.9734/ejnfs/2019/v11i430177 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 284-288

Author(s):

Mohammad Rahanur Alam ◽

Moumita Dey ◽

Md. Kobirul Islam ◽

Sompa Reza ◽

Sumaiya Mamun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Iodine Deficiency ◽

Iodine Content ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Salt Iodization ◽

Nutrition Science ◽

The Mean ◽

The Government

Aims: Iodine deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies in Bangladesh. To combat iodine deficiency disorders, universal salt iodization is mandatory in Bangladesh. The aim of our study was to determine the iodine content of both packaged and open edible table salts sold at the retailer level in different areas of Bangladesh. Study Design: The study is an experimental cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted in the food analysis laboratory of Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University from March 2019 to June 2019. A total of 90 salt samples were collected from ten retailers selected based on convenience sampling from two districts: Dhaka and Noakhali. Among the samples, 45 were packaged salts from Fifteen different brands and the rest of the 45 samples were non brand open salt. Methodology: The iodine content of iodized salt samples was determined by the iodometric titration method. Results: The mean iodine content of both types of salts is 17.801±1.973 ppm. The mean iodine contents of packaged salts and open salts are 30.691±2.679 ppm and 4.912±1.008 ppm, respectively. Only 42% of the total salt samples are adequately iodized (>20 ppm). 75% of packaged salt samples are adequately iodized and only 8% of open salt samples are adequately iodized. Conclusion: As iodine content in open table salts doesn’t meet the criteria set by the government, the sale of open salt for human consumption should be stopped.

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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Thinness among Adolescent Students in Finote Selam Town, Northwest Ethiopia

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2020/9170301 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Damitie Kebede Mengesha ◽

Reddy P. C. J. Prasad ◽

Degnet Teferi Asres

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Monthly Income ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Adolescent Students

Even if adolescence is a window of opportunity to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, adolescents are the neglected age groups. Hence, information regarding the nutritional status of adolescents is lacking, making creating and implementing intervention programs difficult. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of thinness among school adolescents in Finote Selam Town, Northwest Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study among adolescent students aged 10–19 in public primary and secondary schools was carried out in Finote Selam Town from February 05 to March 27, 2018. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select study subjects. A total of 397 adolescent students were included in the study. Pretested structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data were entered using Epi Info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and WHO AnthroPlus software. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with thinness. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% level significance were used to measure the strength of association, and statistical significance was declared at p value less than 0.05. The prevalence of thinness among adolescents was 14.9%. Early adolescent stage (AOR = 4.81; 95% CI : 1.23, 18.51), being male adolescent students (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI : 1.60, 3.40), having less than 1000 birr family monthly income (AOR = 6.54; 95% CI : 3 : 82, 14.89), having 1000–2000 birr family monthly income (AOR = 3.47; 95% CI : 1.15, 7.45), and using well water (AOR = 3.82; 95% CI : 1.46, 10.04) were significantly associated with thinness at 95% confidence interval. The study revealed that prevalence of thinness was high in the study area. Sex, place of residence, and family monthly income were found to be important factors associated with thinness among the respondents.

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Dietary Habits, Perceptions and Barriers Among Government and Private College Intermediate Students in Karachi: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College ◽

10.51985/ecxv5827 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (02) ◽

pp. 81-86

Author(s):

Mariam Rashid ◽

Sabeela Noor ◽

Khadija Abdus Salam ◽

Ramsha Irfan ◽

Ayesha Siddique

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Private College ◽

Government College ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Total N ◽

Intermediate Students ◽

The Government

Objective: To determine differences in eating practices, perceptions, and perceived barriers among intermediate students of government and private sectors in Karachi. Study design and setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six intermediate colleges of Karachi from October to December 2018. Methodology: Total N=390 students aged 16-24 years were selected via non-probability convenience sampling. The study team developed a questionnaire to assess the dietary habits and barriers among the students. Results: Mean BMI of government college students was 20.41 ± 4.15 kg/m2 while that of private college students was 22.25 ± 5.43 kg/m2. The proportion of underweight participants was higher (36.8%) in government college students, and overweight students being higher in private (23.8%). Similar responses were recorded for daily meals and weekly fastfood and fruit consumption. Skipping meals was found out to be a common practice among students. Breakfast was most commonly skipped meal among both groups (23.9% & 39.2%, respectively). Watching television during meals was common in both groups (58.7% & 67.7% respectively). The majority of the students from both groups did not familiar with the term body mass index BMI (84.6% & 82.5%, respectively). Smoking was more common among the private sector, 16.9%, compared to 3.5 % of the government sector. Fruit juice was considered a healthier option (58.7% & 52.9%, respectively). Similarly, white bread against bran bread was perceived healthier by the majority in both groups (70.1% & 59.3%, respectively). Carbohydrate was reported as a major nutrient in the diet by (51.7% & 57.1% respectively). Factors like educational stress, time, will-power to maintain the diet, availability of junk food, and climate were some of the significant influencers of diet/lifestyle recorded. Conclusion: Students from both groups shared similar eating and lifestyle practices irrespective of their educational institutes’ status.

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Prevalence of specific micronutrient deficiencies in urban school going children of India aged between 6 and 16 years: study protocol for a multicentric cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046783 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e046783

Author(s):

Shally Awasthi ◽

Divas Kumar ◽

Shweta Singh ◽

Swati Dixit ◽

Girdhar Agarwal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Study Protocol ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Urban School ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Equal Distribution

IntroductionChildhood and adolescence are the period of rapid physical and cognitive growth and development, requiring adequate nutrition. Malnutrition in the form of undernutrition or micronutrient deficiency or overweight/obesity affects the health, cognition and educational achievement of this age group. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, folate, vitamin A, 25 hydroxy vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies in the serum and haemoglobin, ferritin and lead levels and its association with reported dietary intake and cognitive abilities, in urban school going children aged 6–16 years in 10 cities of India.Methods and analysisA multicentric cross-sectional study will be conducted to recruit 2400 participants (240 per site) across India. Participants will be selected using random sampling and will be categorised into age groups of 6–11 years and 12–16 years, with equal distribution. Data on socioeconomic status, anthropometric measures and 3-day dietary intake and cognitive performance will be collected. Blood samples will be collected for biochemical analysis of micronutrients. Findings will estimate the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and their association with dietary habits and cognitive functioning.Ethics and disseminationStudy protocol has been reviewed and approved by institutional ethics committee of all 10 participating sites. Results will be shared and published in a peer-reviewed journal, so that the findings will be helpful for the stakeholders in planning nutritional interventions for targeted groups.Trial registration numberCTRI/2019/02/017783.

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Eating Habits and Lifestyle during COVID-19 Lockdown in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12113314 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 3314

Author(s):

Leila Cheikh Ismail ◽

Tareq M. Osaili ◽

Maysm N. Mohamad ◽

Amina Al Marzouqi ◽

Amjad H. Jarrar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government

The coronavirus disease is still spreading in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with subsequent lockdowns and social distancing measures being enforced by the government. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the lockdown on eating habits and lifestyle behaviors among residents of the UAE. A cross-sectional study among adults in the UAE was conducted using an online questionnaire between April and May 2020. A total of 1012 subjects participated in the study. During the pandemic, 31% reported weight gain and 72.2% had less than eight cups of water per day. Furthermore, the dietary habits of the participants were distanced from the Mediterranean diet principles and closer to “unhealthy” dietary patterns. Moreover, 38.5% did not engage in physical activity and 36.2% spent over five hours per day on screens for entertainment. A significantly higher percentage of participants reported physical exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, irritability, and tension “all the time” during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic (p < 0.001). Sleep disturbances were prevalent among 60.8% of the participants during the pandemic. Although lockdowns are an important safety measure to protect public health, results indicate that they might cause a variety of lifestyle changes, physical inactivity, and psychological problems among adults in the UAE.

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Intention to receive vaccine against COVID-19 and associated factors among health professionals working at public hospitals in resource limited settings

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254391 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254391

Author(s):

Mohammedjud Hassen Ahmed ◽

Shuma Gosha Kanfe ◽

Mohammedamin Hajure Jarso

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Resource Limited ◽

Study Participants ◽

To Receive ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Backgrounds Health professionals are among the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic exposure and identified as a priority target group that need to receive COVID-19 vaccines. However, intention to receive vaccine is still matters the extent of COVID-19 vaccinations among health professionals. This study aimed to assess intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine and the factors that will determine their intention among health professionals working at public hospitals of Illu Aba Bora and Buno Bedelle zone hospitals. Methods A cross-sectional study design was applied to assess the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines among health professionals working in public health hospitals of Illu Aba Bora and Buno Bedelle zone hospitals. Self-administered questionnaire were used for assessing intention to receive COVID-19 Vaccine. Multiple linear regressions were performed to identify factors associated with intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine with p-value< 0.05 as cutoff point for statistical significance at 95% confidence interval (CI). Result In this study, almost half of respondents 217(53.1% [95.0%: CI 49.3–58.9]) of study participants scored above the mean. Attitude (β = 0.54, 95% CI: [0.49, 0.63], p<0.01), knowledge (β = 0.27, 95% CI: [0.21, 0.35], p<0.01, perception (β = 0.43, 95% CI: [0.39, 0.56], p = 0.02 and age (β = 0.64, 95% CI: [0.51, 0.72], p<0.01 were variables associated with intention to receive vaccine against COVID-19. Conclusions This study result indicated that the overall magnitude of intention to receive COVID-19 is low. increasing attitudes, knowledge and perception among health professionals related to COVID-19 vaccine will helps to increase the overall intention to receive vaccine against COVID-19.

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