ANIMAL-SOURCED PROTEIN CONSUMPTION AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study scrutinized farming households’ intake prevalence of animal-source protein in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 150 respondents through a multi-stage sampling procedure using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as OLS regression analysis. Results revealed that seafood was the most readily available animal-source protein for farming households. Respondents prevalently consumed food items from seafood/fish ((X̅=7.4), cow meat ((X̅=5.1), and goat meat ((X̅=4.8). Coping strategies included, borrowing money (97.8%), reducing the number of meals to be taken in a day (96.4%), and depending on less preferred food (93.7%). The constraints were large household sizes and poor credit access. The result of the OLS regression revealed a significant positive relationship between age, meat availability, knowledge level on the importance of protein, health/allergies, and wealth level at a 1% significant level and household consumption frequency of animal-source protein. Equally, a negative significant relationship was observed between educational level and household size and household consumption frequency of animal-source protein at 1% and 5% significant levels, respectively. The study recommended that the Government should launch enlightenment programmes to educate the households on the need for increased consumption of animal-source protein.