Acceptability of the use of iron cooking pots to reduce anaemia in developing countries

Prinsen Geerligs, P. D., Brabin, Bernard, Mkumba, A., Broadhead, R. and Cuevas, Luis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6581-0587 (2002) 'Acceptability of the use of iron cooking pots to reduce anaemia in developing countries'. Public Health Nutrition, Vol 5, Issue 5, pp. 619-624.

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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate acceptability, compliance and attitude towards the use of iron pots compared with aluminium pots, for cooking in a community that traditionally did not use iron pots. Design: Randomised trial. Setting: Two rural Malawian villages. Subjects: Fifty-two households received iron pots and 61 aluminium pots. Results: Pot characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire after 3, 6, 11 and 20 weeks of use. Within households using iron pots there was a significant decrease in acceptability score with usage, from an initial value of 13.7 to 11.4 (range 1-20) (P = 0.01). Answers to questions concerning cooking characteristics showed that after 3 weeks' use the aluminium pot scored better, whereas after 20 weeks fewer answers differed between the iron and aluminium pot groups. Almost a third of the households planned to continue using iron pots daily after 20 weeks, although they had ready access to their former aluminium pot. The presence of a group of consistent pot users suggests that if households were convinced about daily use, then they were likely to maintain consistent use. Some householders considered that iron pots required less firewood for cooking than aluminium pots. The main problems related to lower acceptability were rusting and pot weight. About 25% of problems with iron pots were unrelated to their cast iron characteristics. Overall 23.4% of the households indicated they would buy an iron pot. Conclusions: The low acceptability of iron pots for cooking could limit their value as an intervention to control iron-deficiency anaemia. Design modifications and better instructions on pot use should improve acceptability. The study highlights the need to assess the acceptability of interventions in order to facilitate their adoption in traditional communities.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QU Biochemistry > Biochemistry of the Human Body > QU 130.5 Trace elements QU Biochemistry > Vitamins > QU 145 Nutrition. Nutritional requirements QV Pharmacology > Hematologic Agents > QV 183 Iron. Iron compounds WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 155 Anemia
Faculty: Department:	Groups (2002 - 2012) > Child & Reproductive Health Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1079/phn2002341
Depositing User:	Martin Chapman
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2013 14:17
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2018 13:05
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/2919

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