Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Consumption of Bio-fortified Cassava/Sorghum-based Complementary Foods in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the socioeconomic factors associated with consumption of bio-fortified cassava and sorghum-based complementary foods for children under 5 years in Ogun State. A multistage and purposive sampling procedure was used to select 227 rural nursing mothers for the study. Primary data were obtained using structured interview guide. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of mothers and children were 30 ± 8.60 years and 14 ± 4.35 months, respectively. About 86.6% were not aware of the existence of bio-fortified cassava flour. There were significant associations (p < 0.05) between nursing mothers' family types (÷2 =8.97), ethnicity (÷2 =12.14), educational status (÷2 =13.39), years of formal education (r = 0.176), average weekly income (r = 0.99), total size of cultivated farmland (r = 0.003) and food consumption frequency. The type of occupation, ethnicity, level of awareness and frequency of extension contacts were found as significant (at 5%) determinants of decision to consume bio-fortified cassava and sorghum-based complementary food. Most of the respondents were willing to consume bio-fortifiedcassava/sorghum flour, if available. Hence, bio-fortified cassava/sorghum-based complementary foods are desirable in alleviating child malnutrition in Ogun State.