(P24-050-23) Wild Edible Plants Importance for Dietary Diversity in Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Region of Chad

Objectives: The objective in this study was to assess the relationship between the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women of Reproductive age (MDD-W) indicator and the collection of Wild Edible Foods (WEF)

Methods: Our study took place in the region of Guerá (Chad), during March 2019. It was a cross-sectional study in which 984 women were interviewed. Sociodemographic, dietary data, food collection and production, and food security information were obtained. We divided WEF into 4 groups: “Fruits”, “Plants”, “Nuts and Seeds” and “Animals”. MDD-W and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) scores were obtained using standard procedures. We created a Food Production Diversity Score (FPDS) to assess households´ farm diversity. We did bivariate analyses to evaluate the association between MMD-W and WEF; then carried out a multivariable regression adjusting by education, HFIAS and FPDS.

Results: One in three women achieved MDD-W (32,8%). Fruits were the most collected WEF (75.2%), followed by Plants (38.5%), Animals (10%) and Nuts and Seeds (5%). At least some primary education was present in 51.5% of the households. Average HFIAS was 16.6 with a standard deviation of 5.4, and the average FPDS was 2.9 with a standard deviation of 1,4. The association between MDD-W and the collection of WEF was significant at the bivariable level (p=0.049), as well as the consumption of wild plants (p < 0.001) and wild fruits (p=0.04). However, in the multivariable regression only the collection of wild plants remained significant p< 0.001, the likelihood to achieve MMD-W among households collecting wild plants was 1.8 (IC95%: 1.3-2.3). The covariates were all significant: HFIAS (OR:0.91; IC95%:0.88-0.94), FPDS 5-8 (OR: 2.0; IC95%: 1.3-3.0) and household education (OR:1.4; IC95%: 1.1-1.9).

Conclusions: Wild plants have been proved to have a notable association with MDD-W in this region. This must be considered while planning nutrition-sensitive and ecological programmes.

Funding Sources: DNTA-ILRI-UE DELEGATE CHAD