Determinants of dietary quality among adults in selected rural and urban areas of Tanzania: the role of general self-efficacy and food literacy: a cross-sectional study
| dc.contributor.author | Kariathi, Victoria | |
| dc.contributor.author | Mbwana, Hadijah | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rybak, Constance | |
| dc.contributor.author | Msollo, Safiness Simon | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-08T07:00:09Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-08T07:00:09Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description | Research Article | |
| dc.description.abstract | Improving dietary quality is challenging due to conflicting nutritional information and the availability of unhealthy food options, particularly in urban areas. Sociocognitive factors that enhance personal competence and confidence are essential for making informed food choices in this situation. This study employed the social cognitive theory (SCT) to investigate general self-efficacy (GSE) and food literacy as sociocognitive factors influencing adult dietary quality in rural (Mkuranga) and urban (Ilala) Tanzania. Data was collected through a cross-sectional study of 694 adults using structured questionnaires and validated instruments to gather information on GSE, food literacy, and dietary intake through interviews. Six dietary quality indicators were assessed: consumption across all five recommended food groups, dietary diversity scores (DDS), Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), noncommunicable disease (NCD)-risk score, NCD-protect score, and Global Dietary Recommendations (GDR) score. A regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between GSE and food literacy, categorized into three levels (limited, sufficient, and excellent), and dietary quality indicators. Participants’ mean age was 38, with the majority falling between 30 and 39 years; 67% were female, 72% lived in urban ares, and 55% completed primary education. GSE scores were significantly higher among urban and male participants, while rural participants demonstrated significantly lower food literacy scores. Urban participants showed significantly higher DDS, MDD-W, and NCD-risk scores. Individuals’ sufficient food literacy level showed a statistically significant positive association with DDS (β = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.14–0.64), NCD-protect score (β = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.15–0.66), and GDR score (β = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.02–0.63), as well as the likelihood of consuming all five recommended food groups and meeting MDD-W. Having excellent food literacy was significantly associated with higher DDS and a greater likelihood of meeting MDD-W. GSE was also significantly positively associated with DDS (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01–0.04). Urban residency was negatively associated with the GDR score and positively associated with the NCD-Risk score. Incorporating GSE, and food literacy aspects in nutrition education programs may improve dietary quality. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | FoCo-Active project | |
| dc.identifier.citation | https://doi.org/10.1155/adph/3625624 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7689 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | John Wiley & Sons Ltd. | |
| dc.subject | Adults | |
| dc.subject | Dietary quality | |
| dc.subject | Food literacy | |
| dc.subject | General self-efficacy | |
| dc.subject | Rural | |
| dc.subject | Tanzania | |
| dc.subject | Urban | |
| dc.title | Determinants of dietary quality among adults in selected rural and urban areas of Tanzania: the role of general self-efficacy and food literacy: a cross-sectional study | |
| dc.type | Article |