Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Market Women Towards Fruit And Vegetable Consumption In Umuahia North Local Government Area Of Abia State

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of market women in Ubani, Urugba and Ahieke market in Umuahia North Local government of Abia State. The cross-sectional survey was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of 307 market women from the selected market. A well-structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-economic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice profile of the market women. Data were analyzed using frequency (F), percentage (%), mean, standard deviation (SD) and chi-square, respectively. Significance was accepted at P<0.05. The result of the study revealed that 40.1% of the market women were within the age group of 30 years and majority (84.7%) of the market women were Christians, while few (7.5% and 7.8%) were Muslim and traditional believers. 80.8% of the market women have heard information about benefit of fruit and vegetables, and their source of information includes radio/television, community workers, internets e.t.c. The result of the knowledge profile of fruit and vegetable consumption showed that majority (94.5%) of the market women had poor knowledge about fruit consumption and few (5.5%) had average knowledge based on their knowledge grade. The result also showed that more than half (61.2% and 57.7%) of the market women were positive towards both positive and negative statement about fruit and vegetable consumption. The fruit and vegetable consumption frequency showed that only few of the market women consume fruit and vegetable more than six times in a week. The chi-square test showed that socio-economic status of the market does not significantly affect the knowledge of the market women toward fruit and vegetable consumption, respectively.