Media Use for Soygari: A Case of Women's Behavior to Nutrition-Specific Information in South West Nigeria

Gari is the most popular form in which cassava is consumed in most households in Nigeria. However, gari is deficient in most food nutrients and its excessive consumption without supplementation leads to malnutrition. Soygari (Gari fortified with soyabean) could help reduce malnutrition if positive behaviour is elicited through appropriate Communication Media (CM). However, empirical evidence on suitable CM mix to elicit positive behaviour towards Soygari nutrition is scarce. Therefore, CM mix for behavioural change in Soygari nutrition information dissemination among rural households in southwestern Nigeria was investigated. This study evaluated the effect of consistent dosage of Soygari information on rural women’s behaviour in South Western Nigeria. A quasi-experimental research design was used. Data were collected from 224 women in soybean-producing households in the region through a systematic sampling procedure. This study trained women in Soygari information for twelve weeks using podcasts (audio and video messages), and interactive (demonstrations and visual teaching methods). The study targeted change in women’s knowledge, attitude, and utilization. Empirical analyses are described in tables and percentages, while parametric tests were used to analyze a priori hypotheses. The podcast method influenced higher change in Knowledge (Δx# = 2.68) and attitude (Δx# =5.94) of women while a higher change in utilization (Δx#= 7.32) was found among women exposed to the interactive method. A significant difference existed in the utilization (T = 4.018; p < 0.05) of Soygari among women exposed to the podcast and interactive methods. Both media types effectively promoted positive behavioural change towards Soygari nutrition among rural households in South western Nigeria. Audio and practical demonstration mix were most suitable. An interactive method of communication is best if the target of nutrition information is for immediate household utilization. Multiple dosages of information can be a motivation to change an already existing human behaviour even when distractions exist.