ISSN 2375-0723
African Journal of Food Science Research ISSN: 2375-0723 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2022. © International ScholarsJournals
Full Length Research Paper
An exploratory investigation of individual and school-level determinants for effective nutrition education in primary school in N’Djamena, Chad
Kimassoum D.1,2*, Alexis H.1, TIDJANI. A.1,2, Kanabet Z1 and C. Frazzoli3
1NOODLESCHAD, N'Djamena, Chad.
2Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences des Aliments et Nutrition (LARSAN), University of N'Djamena, Chad.
3Dept Cardiovascular and endocrine-metabolic diseases, and ageing. Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy.
Accepted 23 January, 2022
Abstract
Background. Malnutrition is a serious public health problem in Chad, with prevalence increasing over the years. Most eating habits are formed early in life, with beliefs and tacit knowledge directing eating behaviors. School nutrition education can effectively improve nutrition skill if related social determinants are understood. This study investigated factors for effective school nutrition education in N’Djamena, Chad. Methods. A total of 73 children (girls and boys, age 9-13) were stimulated with a nutrition education initiative in two schools in N’Djamena. The nutrition education focused on food groups and their importance, food hygiene, and general rules for a balanced diet based on local foods. Results. Socioeconomic and sociocultural factors affected nutrition education. Girls were more proficient than boys, probably due to the role they generally have in dealing with family eating. Results confirmed the children’s developmental stages related to nutrition, and showed the significant impact a nutrition intervention can have on the nutritional skills of Chadian children. Conclusion. Formative research is needed to design school nutrition education programmes in Chad, where limited studies have been conducted so far.
Keywords: Nutrition security, diet, hygiene, nutrition education, children, Chad.