The Impact of Nutrition Education on the Dietary Habits of Adolescent Girls (12-18 years) in Juba, South Sudan

Abstract

Adolescent girls in South Sudan, notably in its capital, Juba, experience significant dietary difficulties. These difficulties, frequently caused by socioeconomic circumstances, are made worse by a general lack of dietary knowledge. According to the "Theory of Reasoned Action" and the "Theory of Planned," this study sought to evaluate the impact of the Nutrition Education Program on the eating behaviours of adolescent females in Juba between the ages of 12 and 18. Understanding education's influence on dietary choices is crucial in light of Juba's nutritional challenges. This study offers priceless knowledge that can direct future initiatives to encourage teens to adopt healthy eating habits. The study focused on teenage females enrolled in Juba's secondary schools and covered the whole geographic area of the country's capital and largest city. Using a cross-sectional research approach, data were gathered at a specific time without changing the study variables. This approach allowed the study to effectively capture the relationships between socio-demographic traits, student attitudes, nutrition knowledge, and dietary practices. Although this design does not prove causation, it provides a thorough picture of the current state of affairs and lays the groundwork for developing hypotheses for further research. The study combined descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, and Spearman Rank Order correlations for data analysis using SPSS version 24. The results highlighted how socio-demographic characteristics have a substantial impact on eating decisions. Mainly, it was discovered that the main variables were household size, income, and occupation. The striking finding was that over 31.22 per cent of the girls, a sizeable chunk ate fewer than two meals daily. Additionally, skipping meals was expected, with lunch being the meal that was skipped the most. Girls from households with more than five people tended to miss meals (2 = 38.346, P = 0.000). The number of meals consumed and household income also showed a direct link (2 = 27.704, P = 0.000). Additionally, food habits were significantly influenced by the occupation of the family head (2 = 22.085, P = 0.000). The information showed that socioeconomic characteristics, household size, income, and the job of the household head significantly influenced the girls' eating behaviours. Notably, many of these girls were discovered to eat fewer than two meals daily, frequently missing meals, particularly lunch. Additionally, while a sizable majority of females had a negative attitude regarding nutrition, those who received nutrition instruction showed better dietary habits. In conclusion, nutrition education influences how adolescent girls in Juba develop healthy eating habits. However, socioeconomic factors continue to impact, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions. The study strongly advocated for the inclusion of nutrition education in schools, highlighting its crucial role in guiding teenagers toward developing healthy eating habits. Cooperation between the government, civil society organizations, and religious institutions is crucial to increase awareness and support nutrition education projects.