Knowledge, Attitude and Preference of Consumersfor cooking oils among Female University Administrative Staff in Souh-Western Nigeria using Health Belief Model

Abstract

Background and Rationale: Individual’s health behaviour can be explained by theories and models anchored on their perceived susceptibility to a health problem, perceived severity, perceived benefits of actions, and cues to action. Aims and Objectives: This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes as well as preference consideration of women in choosing cooking oil using the health belief model. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 200 sampled consenting female administrative staff in the University in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demography, Knowledge of healthy oil, preference factors considered in choosing cooking oil. Attitude to healthy oil consumption was as well assessed through health belief model using Likert scale. Categorical variables of knowledge, attitude and preference scores were analysed using chi-squared test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the of the respondents was 38.6(±9) years. Less than half (45.6%) of the respondents had good knowledge of healthy oil, six out of ten had positive attitude towards the consumption of healthy oil consumption. Respondents’ preference for choice of cooking oils were based on perceived health benefits (45.1%), nutritional labelling (42.1%) and brand (37.9%). There is statistically significant association between respondents’ knowledge and age (p=0.021) as well as respondents’ knowledge and attitude (p= 0.000). Positive attitude was found to be a predictor of having good knowledge (OR=2.78, p=0.003). Conclusions: Proper knowledge on what makes cooking oil healthy is inadequate but positive attitude towards healthy oil was exhibited by female university administrative staff. The positive attitude should be leverage upon in intervening for improved knowledge and better informed choices in selecting cooking oils.