Special COVID-19 Preventive Diets Consumed in sub-Saharan Africa during the Lockdown
Special COVID-19 Preventive Diets Consumed in sub-Saharan Africa during the Lockdown
COVID-19 is nowadays considered a pandemic whose mortality rate is clearly higher in developed countries. In contrast to predictions, Africa appears as one of the least affected continents. This pilot study was designed with the aim of identifying the various foods/drinks consumed in various sub-Saharan countries under partial or total lockdown to prevent the disease. In this condition, a cross-sectional online survey was carried out for six weeks (June/July, 2020). A total of 817 people from Cameroon (246), Ethiopia (35), Ghana (57), Kenya (87), Nigeria (211) and South Africa (181) voluntarily took part to this study. Among them, 51.7% reported consuming nothing special for COVID-19 prevention. On the other hand, foods/drinks consumed by the rest of the respondents for therapeutic purposes were grouped into five classes; infusions made from spices, honey and fruits (like lemon, lime, ginger and garlic) were the most popularly consumed class followed by fruits and vegetables. Two other groups related to medicinal plants consisted of 'Bark Infusions and decoctions' mainly of Kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum) or Quinquina (Cinchona officinalis), as well as 'Maceration, decoction or infusion of Neem leaves or Artemisia. These were mainly consumed in Cameroon. Another group was 'local beverages' like those from Hibiscus, beetroot or lemonade. The last group was represented by those consuming conventional medicines/supplements especially Vitamin C and Zinc. This was mainly the case in South Africa. Globally, females, white people (race) and those affluent (income) had a significantly higher tendency to consume conventional medicines (p<0.05). Up to 70% of the respondents believed the cited special diets/drinks could be helpful in boosting the immune system. The majority reported informing themselves through social media, friends and relatives. A systematic review of the healthy properties and antiviral potential of the identified special foods, therefore, becomes a prerequisite for prioritizing and promoting them in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
CITATION: Onyenweaku, Eridiong. Special COVID-19 Preventive Diets Consumed in sub-Saharan Africa during the Lockdown . : Rural Outreach Programme (ROP) , 2021. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol 21, No. 6, July 2021, pp. 18192-18205 - Available at: http://library.au.int/special-covid-19-preventive-diets-consumed-sub-saharan-africa-during-lockdown