Acceptance of a complementary food prepared with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black caregivers in rural KwaZulu-Natal

  • Laurencia Govender University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Kirthee Pillay University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • John Derera University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Muthulisi Siwela University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: provitamin A-biofortified maize, vitamin A deficiency, complementary feeding, consumer acceptance

Abstract

Objectives: The objective was to assess the sensory acceptability and consumer perceptions of soft porridge made with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black African female infant caregivers from rural KwaZulu-Natal. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted at Edendale Hospital, located in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal province. The hospital serves a high proportion of people from rural areas in this district. Subjects: Sixty black African female infant caregivers participated in the study. Outcome measures: The sensory acceptability of soft porridge made from two varieties of provitamin-A biofortified maize and one variety of white maize were evaluated by black African female infant caregivers (n = 60) using a five-point facial hedonic scale. Some of the subjects (n = 21) participated in focus group discussions to assess consumer perceptions. Results: There was no significant difference in the sensory acceptability of the biofortified maize porridge and the white maize porridge, irrespective of caregiver age (p-value > 0.05). The caregivers expressed a willingness to give their infants porridge made with provitamin A-biofortified maize if it was more affordable, readily available and beneficial to health. Conclusion: The biofortified maize soft porridge was found to be as acceptable as the white maize soft porridge to black African female infant caregivers from rural KwaZulu-Natal. Provitamin A-biofortified maize has the potential to be used as a complementary food item that would contribute to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency.

Author Biographies

Laurencia Govender, University of KwaZulu-Natal
MScDiet, RD Dietetics and Human Nutrition University of KwaZulu-Natal
Kirthee Pillay, University of KwaZulu-Natal
PhD, RD Lecturer Dietetics and Human Nutrition University of KwaZulu-Natal
John Derera, University of KwaZulu-Natal
PhD Associate Professor Plant Breeding University of KwaZulu-Natal
Muthulisi Siwela, University of KwaZulu-Natal
PhD Senior Lecturer Dietetics and Human Nutrition University of KwaZulu-Natal
Published
2014-09-07
How to Cite
Govender, L., Pillay, K., Derera, J., & Siwela, M. (2014). Acceptance of a complementary food prepared with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black caregivers in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 27(4), 217-221. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/890
Section
Original Research