Comparative Study on Mothers'Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Soyabeans and cowpeas as Food for Young Children in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo

This study assesses the present existing level of mothers' knowledge, attitude and utilization of soyabeans as compared with the traditional cowpeas. It also identifies the inherent problems associated with the utilization of these foods. The data indicate
that mothers were well informed about the value and importance of using both foods in the feeding of their young children. A comparison of attitudes shows that the mothers had significantly better attitudes towards the use of cowpeas than soyabeans.
Utilization of cowpeas was also significantly higher than that of soyabeans. Knowledge and attitudes associating diarrhoea, overweight and low status with consumption of these foods were found to exist among women. Flatulence was the major problem linked with cowpea consumption. For soyabeans, constraints associated with processing requirements, keeping properties of cooked products and increasing cost of raw soyabeans were highlighted. The role of soyabean food vendors was identified as an incentive for utilization. Future nutrition communication programmes involving these foods should be
participatory in approach . and should aim at improving maternal knowledge and attitudes towards the use of both foods, provision of appropriate village level technology for soyabeans processing, as well as encouraging of vendor activities.