KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND CONSUMPTION OF IRON RICH FOOD AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENT IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS

Abstract

Iron deficiency remains a major public health concern among female adolescents, particularly in low-resource settings like Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and increased nutritional demands, yet limited knowledge, poor attitudes, and suboptimal consumption of iron-rich foods exacerbate the risk of iron deficiency anemia. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and consumption (KAC) of iron-rich foods among 125 female adolescents aged 10–19 years from four selected public secondary schools in Sokoto Metropolis. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward iron-rich foods, and dietary practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to explore associations between socio-demographic factors and KAC scores. Findings revealed that while the majority of participants (59.1% to 81.8%) had heard of anemia, correct knowledge of iron as the key nutrient for its prevention was low, with only 5.6% to 33.3% identifying it correctly. Furthermore, awareness that menstruation increases anemia risk was notably poor, reaching as low as 15.2% in some schools. Attitudes toward iron-rich foods were generally positive, with many acknowledging their importance for academic performance (up to 82.0%), though taste preferences and cultural beliefs remained barriers. Consumption patterns showed that while legumes were frequently consumed, daily intake of highly bioavailable iron sources like red meat was low (13.9% to 35.9%). Statistical analysis indicated that socio-demographic factors, including age, class, and ethnicity, were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and consumption (p > 0.05). The study concludes that targeted nutrition education and behavioral interventions are needed to improve awareness and promote regular consumption of iron-rich foods among female adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, thereby reducing the risk of iron deficiency and its associated health consequences.