Knowledge and use of complementary food fortification with multiple micronutrient powders in selected communities in the Philippines

Talavera Maria Theresa M., . and Gordoncillo Normahitta P., . and Barba Corazon V. C., . and Quimbo Maria Ana T., . Knowledge and use of complementary food fortification with multiple micronutrient powders in selected communities in the Philippines. pp. 191-198. ISSN 1394-035X

Micronutrient malnutrition among young Filipino children is attributed to inadequate food intake and improper feeding practices. To improve nutrient intake home fortification using multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) targeting 6 -23 monthold children became an intervention program referred to as Point of Use Complementary Food Fortification with Multiple Micronutrient Powders in Zamboanga City and the Municipality of Aurora in Region IX Philippines. This study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and use of complementary food with MNPs in the context of the said intervention program and implementation areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 randomly selected primary caregivers with 6 -23-month-old children in the covered program areas. A questionnaire designed to elicit knowledge and use of MNPs was developed and pre-tested before data collection. Results: Results showed that all respondents were aware of MNPs with local health workers as the information source. Percentage of respondents with knowledge of the purpose of MNPs varied widely. Among those who did the most well-known function was improving childrens health status. The most common practice of fortifying food with MNP involved adding it to boiled rice and vegetable dishes. Home fortification is popularly practised after cooking the food. Of the 20 respondents who claimed to observe changes in their children due to MNP the top two positive results were childrens increased appetite and increased growth. Conclusion: Awareness of the MNP does not necessarily translate into knowledge of what the MNP is made up of or its purpose. Although home food fortification using MNP was practised by most households this study revealed deviations from recommendations on how to properly fortify their foods using the MNPs. Based on the findings in this study there is a need to complement awareness of the primary caregivers with knowledge on MNPs through counselling and initiating support groups among caregivers to serve as credible and first hand examples of the proper use of MNPs.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.nutriweb.org.my/mjn/publication/23-2/c....

Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition among young Filipino children is attributed to inadequate food intake and improper feeding practices. To improve nutrient intake home fortification using multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) targeting 6 -23 monthold children became an intervention program referred to as Point of Use Complementary Food Fortification with Multiple Micronutrient Powders in Zamboanga City and the Municipality of Aurora in Region IX Philippines. This study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and use of complementary food with MNPs in the context of the said intervention program and implementation areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 120 randomly selected primary caregivers with 6 -23-month-old children in the covered program areas. A questionnaire designed to elicit knowledge and use of MNPs was developed and pre-tested before data collection. Results: Results showed that all respondents were aware of MNPs with local health workers as the information source. Percentage of respondents with knowledge of the purpose of MNPs varied widely. Among those who did the most well-known function was improving childrens health status. The most common practice of fortifying food with MNP involved adding it to boiled rice and vegetable dishes. Home fortification is popularly practised after cooking the food. Of the 20 respondents who claimed to observe changes in their children due to MNP the top two positive results were childrens increased appetite and increased growth. Conclusion: Awareness of the MNP does not necessarily translate into knowledge of what the MNP is made up of or its purpose. Although home food fortification using MNP was practised by most households this study revealed deviations from recommendations on how to properly fortify their foods using the MNPs. Based on the findings in this study there is a need to complement awareness of the primary caregivers with knowledge on MNPs through counselling and initiating support groups among caregivers to serve as credible and first hand examples of the proper use of MNPs.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Food fortification
AGROVOC Term:	Micronutrients
AGROVOC Term:	Powders
AGROVOC Term:	Food intake
AGROVOC Term:	Nutrient intake
AGROVOC Term:	Cooking
AGROVOC Term:	Households
AGROVOC Term:	Surveys
AGROVOC Term:	Interviews
AGROVOC Term:	Data collection
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:53
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/7742

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