Evaluating the impact of home gardening and nutrition education on haemoglobin levels, dietary diversity, and mid-upper arm circumference in Mbororo women: Case of Northwest region, Cameroon

Abstract

The nutritional status of the Mbororo, a Fulbe minority group in Cameroon’s Northwest Region, is often inadequate. This cross-sectional study assessed the impact of a home garden project combined with nutrition education on the nutritional status of Mbororo women, using dietary diversity score (DDS), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and haemoglobin levels as indicators. Data were collected from 70 healthy, non-pregnant Mbororo women aged 65 years or younger. These women were randomly selected from communities with and without home gardens. Women in home garden communities had significantly higher mean DDS (5.4 ± 0.9) than those in non-garden communities (4.2 ± 0.7; p = 0.001), indicating improved dietary quality. However, no significant differences were found in MUAC or haemoglobin levels between groups. Anaemia prevalence across all communities was 52.9%, a severe public health concern, with 27.1% of women underweight and 15.8% overweight, highlighting the double burden of malnutrition. While home gardens improved dietary diversity, they did not resolve broader nutritional challenges. The study concludes that addressing malnutrition in minority communities requires integrated, nutrition-sensitive interventions. These should include nutrition education, home gardening alongside small-scale livestock rearing and fish farming to enhance access to iron-rich foods and diversify nutrient sources. Such approaches are vital for improving long-term nutrition and health outcomes in underserved populations like the Mbororo.