Baseline cross-sectional household survey dataset on dietary patterns, nutrition, and agrobiodiversity use among women and children in Busia County, Kenya (2021)

This dataset was generated from a community-based participatory research study conducted in Busia County, Kenya, aimed at understanding and improving diet quality, food and nutrition security, resilience, and income generation through the sustainable use of locally available agrobiodiversity, particularly wild and underutilized edible plant species. The study focused on households with women of reproductive age (15–49 years) and children aged 6–59 months, recognizing their heightened nutritional vulnerability and central role in food systems. Data capture covered dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy, wild food availability and consumption, socio-economic and gender dynamics, market opportunities for biodiverse foods, and policy contexts influencing agrobiodiversity use in Busia County. The principal investigators sought to answer key questions including: What wild and underutilized edible plant species have the greatest potential to improve nutrition, incomes, and resilience? How do socio-cultural, gender, ecological, and economic factors shape the consumption, marketing, and conservation of these foods? Can an integrated, community-based participatory approach improve dietary diversity, nutrient adequacy, and livelihood outcomes in Busia County? Methodology:The data were collected through a cross-sectional household survey conducted during the baseline phase of a cluster-randomized study in Busia County, Kenya, prior to the implementation of any intervention activities. The baseline survey aimed to characterize dietary patterns, nutrition outcomes, and the use of local agrobiodiversity under pre-intervention conditions. Community Units (CUs) served as the primary sampling clusters. Two sub-counties (Teso North and Teso South) were purposively selected based on high diversity of indigenous and wild foods and elevated levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. Within these sub-counties, eligible clusters were identified and households were randomly sampled within clusters using community-generated sampling frames. The study targeted households with women aged 15–49 years and children aged 6–59 months. Data collection used standardized, mixed-method household survey tools. Data collected included household socio-economic characteristics, food security status, dietary intake and dietary diversity of women and children, consumption of wild and underutilized foods, nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and practices, and gender roles in food production and food-related decision-making. Dietary intake data were collected using quantitative 24-hour dietary recalls, while other survey components were captured using digital data collection tools. Enumerators received standardized training, and field supervision and routine data quality checks were conducted to ensure data accuracy and consistency. The resulting dataset provides a robust cross-sectional baseline snapshot of diets, nutrition, and agrobiodiversity use in Busia County prior to intervention implementation.