ABSTRACT

This study examines the knowledge, attitude and utilization of genetically modified foods in Umuahia metropolis in Abia State. The study was a cross-sectional study. A multi- stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 440 respondents. Data on socio- demographic/economic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, utilization of genetically modified foods and anthropometric status of the respondents were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS version 23.0 computer software was used to analyse the data. Data obtained were described using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between knowledge, attitude and utilization of genetically modified foods to their socio- economic and nutritional status. Significant relationship was judged at p ≤ 0.05. Result from the study showed that many (53%) of the respondents were male while 55.2% of them are married. Although 82.5% of the respondents were aware of genetically modified foods, most (72.5%) of them had poor knowledge of GM foods while 69.3% had a negative attitude towards GM foods. However, 57.5% of the respondents buy/use GMFs, 69.3% rarely consume it while 24.8% of them do not intend to use it. The anthropometric indices of the respondents revealed that more male (15%) than the female (11.8%) respondents were overweight. Majority (91.8%) were at high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. There was a significant positive relationship (p= 0.003) between knowledge of genetically modified foods and the body mass index of the respondents. There was also a significant relationship between attitude of the respondents, their income status (p=0.013) and waist hip ratio (p=-0.0028). These results therefore suggest that projects seeking to promote consumption of genetically modified foods and sensitization of communities on their benefits should be considered