# Why Animal‐Source Foods Are not Consumed by Women and Children in the Amhara Region: A Qualitative Study

## TL;DR

This study explores why women and children in Ethiopia's Amhara Region avoid animal-source foods, highlighting economic and cultural barriers.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific socio-economic and cultural factors influencing animal-source food consumption among vulnerable groups in a specific Ethiopian region.

## Key findings

- High cost and financial constraints are major barriers to animal-source food consumption for pregnant and lactating women and children.
- Social norms and beliefs, such as viewing animal-source foods as holiday food, discourage regular consumption.
- Livelihood support and nutrition education can facilitate increased consumption of animal-source foods.

## Abstract

This study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of animal source food (ASF) consumption among women and children in Wag Himra, South Gondar, and Central Gondar zones of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Women and men with children under 2 years, grandmothers, community and religious leaders, and midwives and health workers were included. Thirty separate focus group discussions and 35 key informant interviews were conducted from July to August 2022. To ensure the quality of qualitative research findings, the criteria of trustworthiness were maintained by the following: credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. Qualitative thematic analysis was carried out using Qualitative Data Analysis Miner. Barriers to children's ASF consumption were poverty, age of the child, illness, high cost of ASFs, loss of parents, divorcee, and a lack of livestock. For pregnant and lactating women, the main barriers to ASF consumption were lack of animals in the household, financial constraints, illness, fear of having a big baby, religious fasting, and morning sickness. Family affluence, the availability of ASFs in the household, liking the taste of ASFs, and receiving nutrition education on ASFs were facilitators for children and pregnant and lactating women to consume ASFs. Barriers to ASF consumption in Amhara Region include factors related to livelihoods and social norms or beliefs. Programmes could offer a combination of livelihood supports and social and behaviour change communication to increase ASF consumption by women and children.

The pregnant and lactating women considered animal‐source foods as food for holidays and societal events. The high cost of animal‐source foods and financial constraints within households discouraged pregnant and lactating women and children from consuming animal‐source foods. Family affluence, the availability of ASFs in the household, liking the taste of animal‐source foods, and receiving nutrition education on ASFs were factors that facilitated the consumption of ASFs by children and pregnant and lactating women.

The pregnant and lactating women considered animal‐source foods as food for holidays and societal events.The high cost of animal‐source foods and financial constraints within households discouraged pregnant and lactating women and children from consuming animal‐source foods.Family affluence, the availability of ASFs in the household, liking the taste of animal‐source foods, and receiving nutrition education on ASFs were factors that facilitated the consumption of ASFs by children and pregnant and lactating women.

The pregnant and lactating women considered animal‐source foods as food for holidays and societal events.

The high cost of animal‐source foods and financial constraints within households discouraged pregnant and lactating women and children from consuming animal‐source foods.

Family affluence, the availability of ASFs in the household, liking the taste of animal‐source foods, and receiving nutrition education on ASFs were factors that facilitated the consumption of ASFs by children and pregnant and lactating women.