ABSTRACT
Background: Optimized nutrition helps to
sustain work output and concentration over extended periods of high physical
and mental stress. The aim of this study was to assess the food consumption
pattern of health workers in Umuahia South in Abia State. Statement of purpose:
Amidst several occupational risks resulting from healthcare systems, their
working conditions, extended hours of work, shift in work, availability of
fast/junk foods, eating in responses to stress as a maladaptive coping
convenience, and financial pressures. All these in all or in part may
contribute to poor dietary decisions and patterns among healthcare workers and
can pose as risk factors to healthy living. Research method/Methodology:
Descriptive cross sectional study design was used. Descriptive statistics and
Person’s con-elation were used. P-value was accepted at p<0.05. Statistical
Package for Service Solution (SPSS), version 22.0 was used for the statistical
analysis. Results: Result showed 50.6% were females and 49.4% were males.
Majority (53.0%) were within 18-29 years of age. Professions represented were
Nursing (28.6%), Laboratory staff/technologists (25%), Community Health workers
(22.6%), Physiotherapists (12.5%), Doctors (9.5%) and Dietitians/Nutrition
officers (1.8%). Monthly, major (54.2%) earn N50 000- N99 900. Results on food
consumption patterns showed 67.9% do eat thrice per day, 30.4% twice while 0.6%
(one person) once per day, 29% eat only at home, 10.1% take food to work and
3.6% eats only at restaurant/hospital canteen. Additional variations were also
observed. Meal skipping was 44.6%. Lunch (28%) was the major meal being
skipped. Different reasons including no appetite, busy at work, lateness to
work, could not eat at home and night shifts were causes of their meal
skipping. Underweight was 2.4%, overweight (20.2%) and obese (0.6%). Risk of
cardiovascular disease was 15.5% (moderate risk) and 17.3% (high risk)
respectively. There were statistical associations between meals skipped and snacking
of fries only, and snacking on fruits and vegetables only. Eating at work also
showed associations with snacking on fruits and vegetables only and WHR. BMI
was associated with their WHR. Conclusion: In this study central obesity
reported more obesity prevalence than the use of BMI. Meal skipping was high
among the participants and may result in work-related irritation, frustration,
physical tiredness, hungriness and cognitive difficulty in concentrating and
decision-malting challenges. The intake of fruits and vegetables as snacks
decreased as their meal skipping increases. There is need for health facilities
to organize nutritional refresher courses for their staff as well as encourage
them to check their food choice to ensure healthy living.
OHAZURUIKE, O (2024). Assessment Of Food Consumption Pattern Of Health Workers In Umuahia South In Abia State:- Ohazuruike, Patricia I. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 12, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-consumption-pattern-of-health-workers-in-umuahia-south-in-abia-state-ohazuruike-patricia-i-7-2
OHAZURUIKE, OHAZURUIKE. "Assessment Of Food Consumption Pattern Of Health Workers In Umuahia South In Abia State:- Ohazuruike, Patricia I" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 13 Nov. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-consumption-pattern-of-health-workers-in-umuahia-south-in-abia-state-ohazuruike-patricia-i-7-2. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.
OHAZURUIKE, OHAZURUIKE. "Assessment Of Food Consumption Pattern Of Health Workers In Umuahia South In Abia State:- Ohazuruike, Patricia I". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 13 Nov. 2024. Web. 12 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-consumption-pattern-of-health-workers-in-umuahia-south-in-abia-state-ohazuruike-patricia-i-7-2 >.
OHAZURUIKE, OHAZURUIKE. "Assessment Of Food Consumption Pattern Of Health Workers In Umuahia South In Abia State:- Ohazuruike, Patricia I" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 12 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-food-consumption-pattern-of-health-workers-in-umuahia-south-in-abia-state-ohazuruike-patricia-i-7-2