Disseminating nutrition information to various sectors of the population through Information Communication Technologies such as the internet, cell phones and computers, has the potential to impact Kenya’s nutritional landscape positively, experts have said.
During the Second Annual Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Students’ Association (KENDSA) Scientific Food and Nutrition Conference held at Egerton University’s Njoro Main Campus, the specialists noted that the country had not fully exploited the potential of ICT, as a strong tool to create awareness among people and reduce malnutrition.
According to Kenya Nutritionists and Dietetics Institute (KNDI) Executive Director Dr David Okeyo, utilizing ICT could significantly improve nutrition outcomes by providing accessible and targeted nutrition education to mothers and caregivers through mobile apps, Short Message Services (SMS) and radio broadcasts.
Dr Okeyo noted that if such ICT infrastructure was utilized, it would enable mothers and caregivers to make informed dietary choices for their children, monitor their nutritional status, and access vital health information, particularly in remote areas where healthcare access might be limited.
He added that ICT could be used to streamline data collection and analysis for better nutrition program design and monitoring, allowing for targeted interventions based on local needs.
Dr Okeyo however affirmed that these ICT innovations should be affordable, reliable, of good quality and must adhere to ethical standards.
He noted that interactive mobile apps, besides providing personalized nutrition advice, dietary tracking tools, and access to local food guides tailored to specific needs, would also help decongest public health facilities.
He pointed out that some of the key ways ICT could be used to improve nutrition in Kenya include, mobile-based nutrition education where SMS alerts could be used to send timely reminders about important nutrition practices like breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and micronutrient supplementation.
Dr Okeyo further explained that nutrition chatbots could be useful in offering immediate answers to nutrition-related questions from caregivers while social media platforms are a vital link in disseminating nutrition information through targeted campaigns and community groups
He called for adoption of technology in tracking nutritional status of children and pregnant women through electronic health records and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in identifying high-risk areas for malnutrition and targeted interventions.
The doctor observed that mobile data collection tools have the capacity to facilitate rapid surveys and monitoring of nutrition programs and providing healthcare workers with updated nutrition information and best practices.
Dr Samuel Mwaura, a lecturer in human nutrition and dietetics at Egerton University said adoption of ICT in nutrition campaigns had many advantages as it could reach a wider audience, including individuals in remote areas, with easy access to information through mobile devices.
He said the platforms could be tailor-made to offer nutrition advice based on individual needs and dietary preferences adding that interactive features and gamification can increase user engagement and adherence to healthy eating behaviors.
Dr Mwaura noted that ICT tools could be effective in data collection, monitoring progress and identifying trends to improve program effectiveness.
“However, some of the challenges we have to consider is ensuring access and understanding of technology for all populations, protecting user information and maintaining confidentiality and long-term engagement and maintenance of behavior change beyond the initial intervention,” explained the Don.
Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Students’ Association (KENDSA) President Mr George Omolo indicated that telemedicine consultations would enable remote access to nutrition experts for complex cases.
Omollo indicated that there was need to come up with farmer information platforms designed for sharing knowledge about nutrient-rich crops and sustainable farming practices and connecting farmers with markets to ensure availability of diverse nutritious foods.
He nevertheless noted that communities should have basic digital skills to effectively utilize ICT tools and that the content should be tailored to be in sync with local languages and cultural norms.
“Structures should be in place to protect sensitive health information collected through ICT platforms. There is need also to make sure ICT tools are accessible to marginalized populations and considering cost-effective options,” stated Omolo.
The event brought together 16 public and private universities drawn from across the country.
Omolo noted that ICT could also aid patients in self-managing weight-related behaviours. “ICTs have the potential to significantly reduce malnutrition by enhancing awareness, nutrition monitoring, food accessibility and coordination of interventions,” he explained.
Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians National Treasurer Ms Lilian Mumina noted that using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve nutrition outcomes can be achieved through various methods like nutrition education apps, online platforms, wearable devices and telehealth consultations.
She said the technologies provided accessible, personalized and interactive ways to deliver nutritional information, monitor dietary intake and promote healthy eating behaviors, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare professionals.
Ms Mumina indicated that mobile apps could provide easy access to nutrition information, personalized meal plans, recipe databases and food tracking features.
“Dietary logging apps will allow users to record their food intake, calculate nutrient values and identify areas for improvement. Wearable devices will monitor physical activity levels and calorie expenditure while telehealth consultations will facilitate regular check-ins with nutritionists for personalized guidance and support,” she explained.
By leveraging on ICT, the official noted that it would provide personalized feedback and tailored messages and recommendations based on individual needs and progress.
Prenatal nutrition apps, noted Ms Mumina, would educate pregnant women about proper nutrient intake and dietary guidelines while elderly nutrition support platforms can provide tailored nutrition advice for older adults.
“These services may offer an alternative approach to engage with healthcare users who prefer not to attend face-to-face support groups or are unable to do so. Therefore, ICT could aid patients in self-managing weight-related behaviours,” she added.
By Anne Mwale
