Assessment of Micronutrient Deficiency through Dietary Intake, Food Consumption Practices and Nutritional Status Amongst Women of Reproductive Age in Kongowea, Mombasa County

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies are a public health concern among women of reproductive age (WRA) and children aged below five years in low and middle-income countries. Random sampling in a cross-sectional study was used to assess the nutritional status and dietary diversity of 184 women of reproductive age (15-49 years), estimated by data obtained on food frequency, 24-hour recall and dietary diversity using a structured, validated questionnaire. The data was analyzed using Nutri-survey software and transferred to SPSS version 20 and was analysed using descriptive statistics. The BMI status indicated that 47.6% were normal, 42.9% were overweight and 9.5% were obese. The mean energy intake was 2132.6±626.7, protein 49.6±10.2, iron 12.5±2.02 and zinc 9.13±2.14. The results indicate that the respondents in this study were below optimum in the intake of some vitamins and minerals. The vitamins consumed below the RDA included vitamin A (15.8%), vitamin B2 (49.4% and 31.4%), vitamin C (13.3% and 27.7%) and vitamin D (87.0% and 77.8%). The minerals consumed below the RDA in both age categories were sodium (55.1% and 42.4%), potassium (36.5% and 38.8%), calcium (68.8% and 67.8%) and iron (16.7% and 3.9%). The most consumed foods were starch cereals and the least consumed were meat and fish. There is need for nutrition education aimed at improving proper nutrition and increased micronutrient intake among women of reproductive age.