Family variables, nutrient intakes and perceived health among Malawian women

This study emphasises the inter‐relationships among family variables, nutrient intake and perceived health status among Malawian women. The sample consists of rural women residing in Zomba, Malawi, southern Africa. Data were collected from April to June 1993 on (1) family cohesion and adaptability,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Consumer Studies & Home Economics 1997-03, Vol.21 (1), p.75-84
Main Authors: Pratt, C.A, Mhango, M, Miller, J, Noor, I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Familial factors
families
family relations
Health
Health and Pathology
income
Malawi
nutrient intake
Nutrition
nutrition education
nutrition information
Perceptions
Relationship
Rural areas
Women
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study emphasises the inter‐relationships among family variables, nutrient intake and perceived health status among Malawian women. The sample consists of rural women residing in Zomba, Malawi, southern Africa. Data were collected from April to June 1993 on (1) family cohesion and adaptability, assessed by a modified version of Olson's FACES 11; (2) dietary intake using a modified food frequency questionnaire; and (3) a 24‐item questionnaire on perceived health status, barriers to health and desired methods of communicating nutrition information in the village. The results indicated that Malawian rural women perceived their families as highly cohesive and adaptable. Diseases frequently identified as common in the family were not perceived as related to nutrition. Income significantly correlated with dietary adequacy. The study suggests that efforts to promote health and nutritional status should be directed at disease prevention and its ecological relationship with nutrition. Strategies for communicating nutrition information in rural Malawi are provided.
ISSN:0309-3891
1365-2737
1470-6431
DOI:10.1111/j.1470-6431.1997.tb00270.x