Nakuru: 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the Second Annual Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Students' Association (KENDSA) Scientific Food and Nutrition Conference held at Egerton University's Njoro Main Campus, 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.
Kenya Nutritionists and Dietetics Institute (KNDI) Executive Director Dr David Okeyo stated that 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.
Dr Samuel Mwaura, a lecturer in human nutrition and dietetics at Egerton University, highlighted that the 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 mentioned that 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.
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. Omolo emphasized the need for 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 also noted the importance of communities having basic digital skills to effectively utilize ICT tools, with content tailored to local languages and cultural norms.
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 methods like nutrition education apps, online platforms, wearable devices, and telehealth consultations. She mentioned that these technologies provide 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.
By leveraging ICT, Ms Mumina explained that it would provide personalized feedback and tailored messages and recommendations based on individual needs and progress. She added that 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, emphasizing that ICT could aid patients in self-managing weight-related behaviors.