Knowledge and utilization of vitamin a rich foods among households in Umuahia North local Government area Abia State, Nigeria

A.D. Oguizu and I.V Ikpeazu

Volume 28, Issue 1;
Pages: 73-82; 2022
ISSN: 2069-0053 (print) (former ISSN: 1453-1399), Agroprint;
ISSN (online): 2068-9551

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem that results from inadequate intake of foods that are rich in vitamin A. This poses a huge health and manpower loss.

Objective: This study aimed at bringing to fore the knowledge and utilization of vitamin A rich foods among households in Umuahia North L.G.A of Abia State, Nigeria.

Methods: A simple random sampling technique was used to select 3 wards out of the 12 wards that make up Umuahia North L.G.A. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select households for the survey. A structured questionnaire was used to capture information relating to socio-economic/ demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice. The consumption pattern of vitamin A rich foods was captured by means of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Mothers were given priority as subjects due to their roles in household food preparation. Descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages was adopted using the statistical package SPSS version 20.

Results: More than a quarter (47.7%) of the respondents were between the ages of 18 to 55 years. They were predominantly Christians of Igbo extraction. About a quarter of the respondents (45.1%) had a family size of 4 to 6 persons. A high percentage of the respondents had formal education above the primary level. Majority of the respondents employed as civil servants and traders. About 19.6% of the respondents earned below 18,000 naira as monthly income.  The major sources of awareness for vitamin A rich food were from hospitals and health centres. The Study revealed 35% males and 45% females had poor knowledge towards vitamin A rich food. Palm oil (37.1%) and green leafy vegetable (40.6%) consumption provided the respondents with the highest source vitamin A intake. Icheku (7.7%), Oysters (8.4%), oatmeal (7.8%) and Cod liver oil (8.7%) were consumed less frequently by the respondents.

Conclusion: Promotion of foods rich in vitamin A should be given adequate attention.