Journal of Biology and Nature

Micronutrient deficiencies remain a significant public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, where inadequate dietary intake and poor nutritional knowledge contribute to adverse health outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of nutritional supplementation combined with nutrition education on micronutrient status and dietary behaviour among staff and students of Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Kano State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental study involving 200 participants was conducted over a 12-week intervention period. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling and assigned to intervention (n = 100) and control (n = 100) groups. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall, Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), anthropometric measurements, and biochemical assessments of haemoglobin, serum vitamin A, serum iron, and serum zinc. Nutrition education sessions and daily micronutrient supplementation were administered to the intervention group, while the control group continued its routine dietary practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, paired and independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression at a 5% level of significance. The findings showed that mean nutrition knowledge scores increased significantly from 46.8 ± 11.2 to 82.4 ± 7.8 following the intervention (p < 0.001). The proportion of participants consuming fruits and vegetables at least five times weekly increased from 35.0% to 74.0%. Mean haemoglobin concentration improved from 11.7 ± 1.4 g/dL to 13.2 ± 1.1 g/dL, while serum vitamin A increased from 27.4 ± 5.3 μg/dL to 35.6 ± 4.8 μg/dL (p < 0.001). Body mass index remained within the normal range, with a modest reduction in overweight prevalence. Multiple regression analysis indicated that nutrition education, supplementation compliance, and dietary diversity significantly predicted improvements in micronutrient status (R² = 0.62, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that combining nutritional supplementation with structured nutrition education can substantially improve nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviour, and micronutrient status among staff and students in tertiary institutions. Institutional nutrition promotion programmes should therefore integrate both educational and supplementation strategies to enhance health and productivity.