The nutritive status in two different socio-economic groups in Hanang and Mbulu district and introduction of dairy products from goats as a food source in Tanzania

Abstract

This study has been designed to investigate whether there is a difference in nutrition and livelihood in two socioeconomic groups in Hanang and Mbulu district, Tanzania. The two groups consist of modern people working as nurses at Haydom Lutheran Hospital, and traditional people with foremost farming as occupation and income. The focus in this survey is on children and youth, since they need nutritious food to develop well. The other aim of the study is to look at the interest in using goat milk yoghurt among adults in Hanang and Mbulu district. The analysis in this study is based on data collected trough two questionnaire surveys. The data collected trough the nutrition survey was used to identify the households, collect information about nutrition and livelihood status and the use of milk and milk products in the two groups. The data from the yoghurt survey was used to look at the marked possibilities for goat milk yoghurt at Haydom and Mulbadaw area. Every household in the nutrition survey was asked for daily, weekly and monthly choice of foodstuffs to get a view of what people were eating in this area. The food intake for an average child was recorded and results were used to look at the amount of calories consumed. Questions about the use of milk and milk products were asked to get a picture of the importance of milk. For the marketing test of yoghurt every respondent was asked to taste three types of goat milk yoghurt and answer questions concerning the survey. The results of the nutrition survey show that there is a slightly better livelihood and nutrition for people defined as modern compared to the traditional group in this study. The results of the marketing test of goat milk yoghurt show that there is a huge potential in selling the product in this area.