Perceptions and Satisfaction with the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme among Pupils in Selected Government Primary Schools in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Home-grown school Feeding Programmes (HGSFP) aim to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition, health, and well-being in schoolchildren. However, pupils’ perspectives about the programme are very limited in Nigeria. Therefore, this study examined pupils’ perceptions and level of satisfaction with the HGSFP in Ikenne LGA, South-West Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted in six public primary schools in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, with a sample size of 233 pupils. Data on Satisfaction were collected using a 19-item emotion-based questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics at a significance level of P< 0.05. Satisfaction was measured on a 70-point rating scale. Data on perception were obtained through six focus groups of six participants and analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach. Results: Our results showed that pupils expressed positive perceptions of the program, noting its success in reducing hunger, boosting enrollment and attendance, and enhancing learning. However, they highlighted areas for improvement, including food quantity, utensils, drinking water, and staff treatment. The mean level of satisfaction was high (x̅=62.17±7.22). In addition, no significant associations were found between satisfaction and age (P=0.527), gender (P=0.248), class (P=0.112), and location (P=0.105).Conclusions: The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was perceived as positively affecting well-being, and pupils were highly satisfied. However, improvements in food quantity, water availability, utensils, and staff interactions were identified. It is recommended that the programme be retained to keep promoting a sense of well-being for the pupils.