CORRELATION BETWEEN DETERMINING FACTORS AND DIETARY DIVERSITY IN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 59 MONTHS IN TWO AREAS OF DIFFERENT HORTICULTURAL SPECIFICITY IN NIGER

An unbalanced diet has been identified as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The general objective is to identify the factors determining the food diversification of children aged 6 to 59 months in two areas of different horticultural specificity. This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in three municipalities, with 214 mothers and or caregivers. A questionnaire evaluating the food diversity was used, followed by statistical analysis of the results. The group of cereals and fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A is the most consumed. Those of animal origin were low. A significant link between Minimum Food Diversity and certain characteristics such as area, income, mother education, agriculture, gardening and breeding (p 0.01). According to the logistic regression, residence of the child in non-horticultural zone (Dosso commune urbains) (ORa [IC95%] =44.60 [5.90-152.50] P 0.001) and in horticultural zone of Tillaberi (ORa [IC95%] =30 [7.67-259.40], p 0.001) Increases their chances of having a diversified diet by 44 and 30 times respectively compared to a child in the Dosso horticultural. Efforts to improve food security, especially in vulnerable households, were needed to ensure a balanced diet for children.