Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices ( <scp>KAP</scp> ) Towards Utilization of <i>Justicia heterocarpa</i> (Mwidu) in Kiroka Village, Morogoro Rural Tanzania

This exploratory study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning <i>Justicia heterocarpa,</i> a widely recognized indigenous leafy vegetable (ILV) within the Waluguru community in Kiroka Village, Morogoro Rural District Tanzania. The study's objective was to identify opportunities and challenges for the vegetable's enhanced application in the local context. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 174 households inKiroka Village, using a structured questionnaire and a snowball sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and the distribution of KAP scores. Chi-squared tests were employed to examine the associations between categorical socio-demographic factors and categorical KAP levels. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the linear relationships between continuous KAP scores and continuous socio-demographic variables. Ordinal regression models were used to examine the influence of socio-demographic factors on the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding <i>J. heterocarpa</i> utilization. The findings indicated inadequate knowledge (mean score 48.6 ± 12.1) and moderately favorable attitudes (51.4 ± 6.5) and practices (61.4 ± 6.7) concerning the utilization of <i>J. heterocarpa.</i> Knowledge exhibited a positive correlation with practices (<i>r</i> = 0.535, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Knowledge and practices demonstrated a negative correlation with the awareness of health benefits (<i>r</i> = -0.625, <i>p</i> < 0.01 and <i>r</i> = -0.464, <i>p</i> < 0.01, respectively). The age of individuals significantly affected respondent's understanding of therapeutic properties and the decline of <i>J. heterocarpa</i> in its usual frequented growing areas (<i>p</i> < 0.05), emphasizing the crucial role of older generations in preserving traditional knowledge. Utilization of <i>J. heterocarpa</i> is significantly constrained by cultural beliefs such as seasonality (93.1%) as well as its association with snakebite treatment (57%) which hinders victims from ever consuming the vegetable. The limited knowledge of <i>J. heterocarpa</i>, combined with moderate attitudes and practices, restricts its potential contribution to food security. Consequently, targeted interventions that promote knowledge, sustainable practices, and culturally sensitive approaches are essential for optimizing the benefits of the plant utilization.