An Assessment of Food Consumption Practices in the Mozambican Provinces of Inhambane and Gaza: Implications for Mycotoxin Exposure Risk

Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Mussalama, Edson; Manhiça, Agnaldo; Cabo, Paula; Venâncio, Armando; Rodrigues, Paula; Macuamule, Custódia

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35426

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
mozambique.pdf		14.08 MB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Ribeiro, Maria Isabel

Abstract(s)

In Mozambique, mycotoxins represent a public health threat. The paucity of research and the absence of monitoring programs exacerbate the population’s risk of exposure. This study aimed to describe the dietary habits of populations in Gaza and Inhambane provinces and to investigate potential differences in average monthly consumption by province, place of residence, sex, and age group. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, involving 55 households and a total of 300 individuals (Gaza: n=151; Inhambane: n=149). Data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. The analysis revealed that household diets were predominantly composed of “Dairy products” where milk stood out, “Vegetables and greens”, notably onions and lettuce/watercress, “Beverages”, primarily water and tea, “Fruits”, such as mango, fresh tomato, and banana, “Bread, cereals and related products”, particularly rice, “Eggs, meat and fish”, namely fresh fish and eggs. Furthermore, the most consumed fats and sweets are oils and sugar, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between provinces: Inhambane exhibited higher consumption of “Dairy products”, “Fruits”, and “Beverages”. The results showed that consumption patterns across most food groups were dependent by place of residence. Additionally, sex and age were associated with different consumption of “Dairy products” and “Beverages”, respectively. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of dietary patterns in Gaza and Inhambane provinces and underscore the widespread consumption of foods vulnerable to mycotoxin contamination. The results offer a critical foundation for developing targeted sampling strategies to assess fungal and mycotoxin contamination and for conducting risk assessments of population exposure.

Keywords

Contaminated food Mycotoxins Eating habits Mozambique

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35426

Citation

Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Mussalama, Edson; Manhiça, Agnaldo; Cabo, Paula; Venâncio, Armando; Rodrigues, Paula; Macuamule, Custódia (2025). An Assessment of Food Consumption Practices in the Mozambican Provinces of Inhambane and Gaza: Implications for Mycotoxin Exposure Risk. In 46th International Business Information Management Association Conference (IBIMA). p. 247-260. ISBN 979-8-9867719-8-4