Determinants of knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum and post-harvest practices among caregivers of children aged 6-59 months in Kerio Valley, Kenya

Knowledge and practices on mycotoxins

Abstract

Stunting among children under five years old is still a problem in many developing countries including Kenya. However, there is little information linking stunting with mycotoxin contamination of complementary foods. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum alongside post-harvest handling and storage practices among caregivers of children under five years old in Kerio Valley, Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted to obtain data from 353 randomly selected caregivers of children aged 6-59 months. Qualitative data was obtained through Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. While quantitative was data obtained by use of structured household questionnaires. Overall, majority of the caregivers of young children had poor knowledge (61.8%) about mycotoxin contamination of food, and poor post-harvest handling and storage practices (74.5%). The caregiver’s knowledge about mycotoxins was significantly associated with age [(AOR=4.629, (95% Cl: 2.530-8.472), p<0.001], education level [(AOR=0.275, (95% Cl: 0.088-0.434), p=0.001], marital status [(AOR=15.187, (95% Cl: 1.830-126.007), p=0.012], and household monthly income [(AOR=2.623, (95% Cl: 1.5504.439), p<0,001]. Furthermore, the caregiver’s age [(AOR=3.845, (95% Cl: 1.558-9.490), p=0.003], education level [(AOR= 0.196, (95% Cl: 0.088-0.434), p<0.001], monthly income [(AOR=3.291, (95% Cl: 1.550-6.986), p=0.002] and knowledge on mycotoxin contamination of sorghum [AOR, 5.428 (95% Cl: 2.855-10.319), p<0.001] were significantly associated with post-harvest handling and storage practices except for marital status [AOR, 3.579 (95% Cl: 0.403-31.775), p=0.252]. In conclusion, caregivers’ knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum was determined by their age, education level, marital status, and monthly income. Poor knowledge about mycotoxin contamination of complementary foods and suboptimal post-harvest handling and storage practices of sorghum could increase the risk of mycotoxin exposure to young children. This necessitates mycotoxins mitigation measures including sensitization campaigns and social behavior change communication.