A Comparative Study of Micronutrients Content of Complementary Foods Used by Igbo and Hausa Mothers in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study compared the micronutrients content of complementary foods used by Igbo and Hausa mothers in Umuahia urban. Data were collected using a pre-tested standard questionnaires administered on 100 mothers randomly selected from the study area and biochemical analysis of the identified complementary foods for proximate and micronutrients content. Results showed that maize pap (akamu), marshed yam + red oil and jollof rice + beans were the common complementary foods used by Igbo mothers; while Dawa gruel(guinea corn), tuwoshinkafa and acha porridge was used by Hausa mothers. Biochemical analysis of the samples revealed that the moisture content ranged from 37.6% in tuwoshinkafa to 81.62% in akamu. The ash content of jollof rice + beans was the highest (8.72%). Fat (15.59%), protein (35.04%) and energy (468.3 kcal) were highest in acha porridge; while akamu (89.84%) had the highest carbohydrate content. Jollof rice + beans had the highest iron (5.83 mg/100 g) content while acha porridge had the highest calcium contents (23.02 mg/100 g). The phosphorus content was more in tuwoshinkafa (555.2 mg/100 g). Marshed yam + red oil had the highest content of vitamin A (10.76 μg/d) and C (1904IU). The micronutrient content of the food samples when compared with industrially processed cereal (cerealac) showed that although some could supply appreciable amount of energy and nutrients, they were deficient in calcium and vitamin C which are of paramount importance for the growing child. This paper proposes nutrition education programmes with emphasis on adequate home fortification of complementary foods which will benefit the infants.