Understanding Mothers’ Lived Experiences Providing Safe and Nutritious Foods for Their Families in Nigeria

Abstract

Background

Household-level food safety, which is underrepresented in research on food safety, represents a significant economic and public health concern in Nigeria. Exposure to unsafe food in the household creates a vicious cycle of diarrhea and other foodborne illnesses and threatens the nutritional status of the most vulnerable, especially infants and young children.

Objective

Our objective was to document mothers’ lived experiences in providing safe and nutritious foods for their families using a participatory and qualitative approach.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

Mothers of children <5 years (n=55) were recruited from 5 local government areas in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Mothers took photos and recorded written or audio narratives using the Our Voice Discovery Tool App, following prompts about food safety vulnerability over 5 days.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

In follow-up discussions, mothers shared their photos and discussed potential solutions.

Results

Lack of access to resources, equipment and basic amenities; presence of pests; lack of control over food safety in eating out occasions; environmental conditions; shared kitchen and toilet facilities were identified as threats to food safety in the household. Mothers shared many of their strategies to mitigate threats and proposed solutions to improve conditions.

Conclusions

Mothers identified various factors at multiple levels of the socio-ecological model that contributed to or detracted from their household's food safety. These findings will be shared with key stakeholders and policymakers to identify and implement sustainable solutions.

Funding

USAID