Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition severely affects development and functioning of the body leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design; cluster sampling was used to target 318 households. The significance level was P < 0.05, the mean age of primary food shoppers was 33 years and the average income was 3,000-5,000 Kenya shillings. Slightly above half, 55% of the primary food shoppers knew about fortification but only 25% understood its meaning. Fortified maize flour was consumed by < 80% of primary food shoppers however utilization frequency was low. In conclusion factors that were significantly associated with utilization of fortified maize flour included; knowledge on fortified maize flour (p=0.00), household size (p=0.005), preference of fortified maize flour (p=0.000) and level of fortification knowledge (p=0.002). Availability and price were ranked as the most important factors that influence utilization of fortified maize flour at 58% and 55% contrary nutritional value was ranked least important at 37%. The ministry of health and concerned millers should make more emphasis on creating and sustaining awareness more so a steady supply and affordable prices should be ensured by millers so that more primary food shoppers can be able to utilize the fortified maize flour.