Novel Research Methodology Reduces Knowledge Gaps in Micronutrient Deficiency in Tanzania

The Problem

Nutrient deficiency is a major health problem worldwide. In Tanzania, micronutrient malnutrition is widespread.

Approximately 58 percent of children ages 6 months to 5 years are anemic in Tanzania and 45 percent women between the ages of 15 and 49 are anemic. Vitamin A deficiency is also widespread. Thirty-four percent of children are vitamin A deficient, and as much as 70 percent of hospitalized children in this group are deficient in zinc. Vitamin A deficiency affects 36 percent of women in Tanzania.

The Work

Brandon McFadden, professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness and the Tyson Endowed Chair in Food Policy Economics for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, sought to identify new recommendations to reduce nutrient deficiency in Tanzania.

Pius Kilasy, a co-author of the study and currently a research officer for the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, an independent institute under the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture, worked with McFadden.

To uncover the knowledge gaps in understanding micronutrient deficiencies, the researchers randomly assigned participants between the ages 18 and 49 to one of six research groups. To determine the baseline understanding of micronutrient deficiency, participants answered a series of questions about micronutrient deficiency.

Following the initial questions, the respondents received different educational information about micronutrient deficiency based on their assigned group. Four of the six groups received variations of educational information on micronutrient deficiencies. For some groups, the material included references to branded biofortified foods to evaluate the effect of food labeling. A Tanzanian flag was placed on the education materials in some groups to determine if it increased attention to the information.

One group was only presented with branded biofortified crops information, and the remaining group acted as the control group, which received no educational information or reference to branded crops.

The effects of the interventions were measured using a follow-up survey.

Other co-authors of the study include Kelly Davidson, assistant professor of applied economics, and Leah Palm-Forster, associate professor of applied economics, with the department of applied economics and statistics for the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The Results

The initial baseline knowledge survey found that only half of respondents were aware of zinc deficiency, compared to approximately 75 percent who were aware of vitamin A and iron deficiencies. Women were more aware than men of the potential negative health outcomes from micronutrient deficiency.

Respondents in groups that received educational information were more likely to identify negative health outcomes for iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies.

Researchers found that providing a combination of educational information, along with information about specific biofortified food brands, yielded the greatest improvement in reducing knowledge gaps about micronutrient deficiency.

The Value

The results of the study suggest prioritizing public communications about specific micronutrient deficiencies along with risk-reducing food options. The researchers also suggested that public education focus on targeting groups who are at higher risk of micronutrient malnutrition. In Tanzania, for example, this involves informing women about zinc and identifying the places where women will likely receive the information, such as a women’s clinic.

The World Health Organization recently found that one in 11 people worldwide faced hunger in 2023, including one in every five people in Africa. McFadden and Kilasy’s study could help inform international policy decisions and address a key element of hunger — micronutrient deficiency.

About the Researcher