ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to evaluate the consumption characteristics of snails among urban households in Umuahia North L.G.A, Abia State. Samples of two hundred and seventeen (217) respondents were randomly selected from seven communities in Umuahia L.G.A. Structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews and visual observations were employed in gathering primary information. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistical analyses which includes frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The result obtained showed 89 were male and 129 were female. Majority of the respondents were married individuals (46.26%), singles (27.10%) while widowers were the least (5.61%). Secondary education was the highest qualification attained by majority of the respondents (34.54%) followed by tertiary education (34.02%) were they must have attained Bachelor’s degrees, and then OND and HND degrees with primary education as the least. The results obtained were presented using tables and chart. Majority of the respondents (85.51%) in the study area indicated that they consume snail while while 14.49% do not consume snail. Majority of the respondents in Umuahia North (69.23%) stated that they use snail as food while other means of snail utilization include medicinal (18.68%). cosmetics (5.49), and stain removal on hard surfaces (6.59), therewith majority of the respondents (60.11%) indicated that they consume snail weekly, whereas (13.11%) consume snail daily. (25.14%) monthly and (1.64%) of the respondents indicated that they occasionally consume snail species. Furthermore, 48.63% of the respondents were involved in snail trading, while 51.37% ofthe respondents indicated they were not involved in snail trading. The majority ofthe traders (51.81%) ofthe traders make less than 5000 NGN from snail trading and very few (0.60%) make greater than 20,000 NGN. It is therefore recommended that greater incentives and sensitization on the importance of snails should be promoted as to ensure its sustainable use as a natural resource