Availability, Accessibility and Contribution of Infant Flours to the Diet of Children Aged 6-59 Months in Benin  

作　　者：Flora T. F. Laleye Nadia Fanou-Fogny Yann E. Madode Flora J. Chadare Marius S. Kanhounnon Bernadette H. Boyiako Mourichide M. Achamou Djidjodo J. Hounhouigan Flora T. F. Laleye;Nadia Fanou-Fogny;Yann E. Madode;Flora J. Chadare;Marius S. Kanhounnon;Bernadette H. Boyiako;Mourichide M. Achamou;Djidjodo J. Hounhouigan(School of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin;Laboratory of Food and Bioresource Sciences and Technologies and Human Nutrition, School of Sciences and Techniques of Conservation and Transformation of Agricultural Products, University Center of Sakété, National University of Agriculture, Sakété, Benin)

机构地区：[1]School of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin [2]Laboratory of Food and Bioresource Sciences and Technologies and Human Nutrition, School of Sciences and Techniques of Conservation and Transformation of Agricultural Products, University Center of Sakété, National University of Agriculture, Sakété, Benin

出　　处：《Agricultural Sciences》2023年第12期1766-1787,共22页农业科学(英文)

摘　　要：This study assesses the nutritional composition as well as the availability and affordability of infant flour found on the market and in the households of Benin. To do that assessment, a two-step cross-sectional survey based on food ethnography methods was used. A total of 61 marketplaces were visited in seven towns and rural districts as part of the availability and affordability survey, while 400 children (aged 6 to 59 months) were surveyed to track the uses of infant flours at the household level. The results obtained reveal that pre-manufactured infant flour is sold more in urban areas (Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Parakou) than in rural ones. The average infant flours price did not vary (p = 0.985) in any given year (regardless of abundance or lean periods) nor does it vary (p = 0.133) from one point of sale to another (drugstore or supermarkets). However, the average price is found to be expensive considering the purchasing power of the households surveyed. On the other hand, the amount of ingredients used in the production of the flour types found on the market complies with the recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius, unlike the homemade ones. Pre-manufactured infant flour is found to be outside of the economic reach of most households (92%) who rely heavily on the homemade ones to feed their children. In light of the above, public authorities should help improve geographic access and pricing affordability to quality infant flour for low-income households in urban and remote areas. Moreover, awareness should be raised among mothers relative to the importance of complementary feeding through education on good nutrition practices.This study assesses the nutritional composition as well as the availability and affordability of infant flour found on the market and in the households of Benin. To do that assessment, a two-step cross-sectional survey based on food ethnography methods was used. A total of 61 marketplaces were visited in seven towns and rural districts as part of the availability and affordability survey, while 400 children (aged 6 to 59 months) were surveyed to track the uses of infant flours at the household level. The results obtained reveal that pre-manufactured infant flour is sold more in urban areas (Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Parakou) than in rural ones. The average infant flours price did not vary (p = 0.985) in any given year (regardless of abundance or lean periods) nor does it vary (p = 0.133) from one point of sale to another (drugstore or supermarkets). However, the average price is found to be expensive considering the purchasing power of the households surveyed. On the other hand, the amount of ingredients used in the production of the flour types found on the market complies with the recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius, unlike the homemade ones. Pre-manufactured infant flour is found to be outside of the economic reach of most households (92%) who rely heavily on the homemade ones to feed their children. In light of the above, public authorities should help improve geographic access and pricing affordability to quality infant flour for low-income households in urban and remote areas. Moreover, awareness should be raised among mothers relative to the importance of complementary feeding through education on good nutrition practices.

关 键 词：Infant Flour Complementary Feeding Nutritional Composition CHILDREN Food Ethnography 

分 类 号：F42[经济管理—产业经济]