Influence Of Size And Crop Variety Of Kitchen Gardens On Dietary Diversity And Micronutrient Adequacy Among Women Of Reproductive Age In Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Kitchen gardening promotes food availability and impact on dietary patterns of individuals. Women of reproductive age (WRA) are highly vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies due to their reproductive role. Dietary diversification is a cost-effective intervention in combating micronutrient malnutrition but research studies and information on influence of size and crop variety of kitchen gardens on dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy among WRA is scanty. A cross-sectional study was therefore conducted between September and October, 2018 to determine the influence of size and crop variety of kitchen gardens on dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy among 193 women of reproductive age in Kericho County, Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, Microsoft Excel and Nutrisurvey 2007 software. The mean household size for the sample population was 5.4±1.9. The highest proportion of respondents had attained primary school (47.4%), married (68.4%), and had low nutrition knowledge scores (44%). There was a positive significant association between education level and estimated monthly income (χ2value=63.63, DF=20, p<0.05). A positive statistical significance was obtained between education level and nutrition knowledge scores [ANOVA (F (4,192) =6.087, p=0.000)]. Nutrition knowledge scores also had a positive statistical significance with women’s dietary diversity scores (WDDS) (r=0.224, p=0.02). The average size of kitchen gardens was 67.1 ± 58.8 M2 with 32 crops identified with a mean of 5.2 ± 2.6. Above 90% of the respondents had consumed starchy staples, dairy and dark green leafy vegetables whereas only 6.7% had consumed nuts and seeds. The mean WDDS was 5.3±1.4 with 72% of the women consuming at least five out of ten food groups. A positive significant association was found between the size of kitchen gardens and number of crops grown (r=0.392, p=0.000). The number of crops grown had a positive significant association with WDDS (r=0.305, p=0.000). The mean adequacy ratio for vitamin A, iron and zinc was 89.9%. A positive correlation was obtained between the nutrient adequacy ratios for Vitamin A (r=0.499), iron(r=0.528) and zinc (r=0.569), and WDDS. In conclusion, the size, and crop variety of kitchen gardens and nutrition knowledge affects dietary intake. Majority of WRA in Kericho County meet the recommended dietary diversity scores and micronutrient adequacy for iron and zinc. There is need to encourage households to increase their kitchen gardens’ size and types of crops to target optimal food groups.