Effectiveness of food baskets in reducing micronutrients deficiency among pregnant Maasai women in Ngorongoro, Tanzania

Micronutrients are comprised of vitamin and mineral nutrients needed during pregnancy for fetus growth, development, maturation and reducing/preventing maternal complications. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) micronutrient rich foods (vegetables and fruits) are lacking due to restrictions on cultivation and unavailability of vegetables and fruits in the local markets. Therefore, the current study introduced a food basket intervention and assessed its effectiveness in addressing anemia, vitamin A and iron deficiencies among pregnant Maasai women within the NCA. The quasi-experimental study included Misigiyo ward as a control group (provide education only) and Olbalbal ward an intervention group (provided food baskets and education). The study assessed hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and retinol levels during baseline and follow-up together with knowledge, attitudes towards micronutrient intake, and local dietary practices. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and retinol were quantitatively (duplicate) measured with Hemocue ™, Maglumi 800 ™ and vitamin A Elisa respectively. This study recruited 140 participants from both wards and found 78% of the participants had good knowledge on dietary iron, while less than a quarter (24.3%) had good knowledge on vitamin A. Moreover, 94% of the participants reported consuming African nightshade (as a wild vegetable in the rainy seasons) together with stiff porridge. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant increase in serum retinol (p<0.001) in the intervention group compared to the control group while there was no statistical significance difference in hemoglobin and serum ferritin before and after food basket intervention. The baseline serum retinol was positively associated with the follow-up serum retinol levels while baseline serum ferritin and hemoglobin were negatively associated. The food basket intervention holds promise in reducing micronutrients deficiency, especially in communities where micronutrient rich foods are scarce.