Barriers related to cowpea consumption by children aged 6 to 59 months in the municipality of Kalabancoro in Mali

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to investigate the barriers associated with the consumption of cowpea as a diversification food in children aged 6 to 59 months.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 380 mothers was conducted in July 2021 in the commune of Kalabancoro. Information was collected during individual interviews. The chi-square test of independence was used at the 5% threshold to measure the links between the various factors and the non-consumption of cowpeas by children aged 6 to 59 months. Free and informed verbal consent and confidentiality of data were respected.
Results: In our study, of the 380 mothers of children aged 6-59 months, 61.8% were aged between 15 and 30 years and 71.6% were not attending school. Among them, 71.8% had no knowledge of cowpea-based dietary diversification, 77.9% were not practising cowpea consumption by their child and 73.7% had a poor attitude to cowpea-based dietary diversification in children aged 6-59 months.
Conclusion: This study showed a statistically significant relationship between the mother's age, education and attitude to cowpea diversification. Above all, this indicates a lack of knowledge about the importance of complementary foods.