Abstract
Legumes are important in the diet and food security of populations in low-income countries. The present study aimed at analysing household consumption levels of legumes and the factors associated with this consumption in Benin, Burkina Faso and Senegal. We conducted an analysis of food consumption data and household socio-demographic and economic parameters from the 2018-2019 Harmonized Household Living Conditions Surveys. The main legumes considered were cowpea, groundnut, African locust bean tree seeds and dry pea. We determined consumption frequencies and the share of legumes in household expenditure. A generalized linear model was run to identify factors associated with the share of food expenditure allocated to the targeted legumes. In all three countries, over 80% of households had consumed at least one legume-based food in the seven days prior to data collection. But there are wide variations in consumption levels between different regions within countries. Annual expenditure on legumes represents an average of 3.4% of household food expenditure in Senegal, 4.5% in Benin, and 8.4% in Burkina Faso. The level of consumption and expenditure on legumes are higher in rural than in urban areas. Legumes are more widely consumed by low-income households, farming households and households headed by older or less-educated people. A future study considering the full diversity of legumes consumed in the three countries is recommended.