Nutrient intake of Women of Child Bearing Age from Two Agro-climatic zones of Rural Areas in Tanzania

Abstract

Nutrient deficiencies impose significant public health problems in many developing countries affecting especially women of child bearing age and children. A household cross-sectional survey involving a sample of 351 households was conducted in four villages of Morogoro and Dodoma regions, representing two different agro-climatic regions, to examine nutrient intake from food in rural women of childbearing age. The respondent was the mother/caregiver in the household. Dietary intake data were collected by using a quantitative 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire. Nutrient intake was analyzed using NutriSurvey program. Nutrients consumed was classified into energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin B1 , vitamin B2 , vitamin B6 , vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and zinc. The mean daily intake of energy was 1976 Kcal (95% CI: 1886.1-2066.5) for Morogoro and 1651 Kcal (95% CI: 1553.0-1747.0) for Dodoma. Daily mean intake of protein was 61.2g (95% CI: 56.9-65.4) for Morogoro and 36.7g (95% CI: 32.3- 41.1) for Dodoma. Mean fat intake was 33.0g (95% CI: 30.1-35.9) for Morogoro and 23.9g (95% CI: 20.8-27.0) for Dodoma. Vitamin A (retinol equivalents) intake in Dodoma was higher than the recommended amounts at 823.4g (95% CI: 710.1-916.1) but lower than the recommended intake in Morogoro at 335.3g (95% CI: 271.0-400.0). Even though both districts did not meet the recommended nutrient intake for vitamin B12, Dodoma had the lowest intake at 0.6mg (95% CI: 0.31, 0.83) compared to Morogoro 1.5 mg (95% CI: 1.13, 1.84). The results of this study suggest different nutrient consumption patterns between Dodoma and Morogoro based on the agroclimatic condition of the districts which also influence the type of foods produced in particular areas. This calls for support for education on food and dietary intake that purposely accentuate increasing production and consumption of a diversity of foods preferred in a certain agro-climatic environment. This should include consumption of animal source foods to increase the intake of nutrients.

Keywords: Macro and micro-nutrient intake, rural women, Morogoro, Dodoma, Tanzania