ABSTRACT

Malnutrition is the largest risk factors responsible for global burden of diseases. The study was undertaken to determine nutrition knowledge, attitude, practice and anthropometric status of traders at Nkwo Nnewi market in Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State. Data for this report were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 333 traders. Simple random sampling method was used. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on personal, basic information and socio-economic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, attitudes, dietary practice and anthropometric status of the traders. Their waist and hip circumferences, including weight and height were measured and used to calculate their waist hip ratio (WHR) and body mass indices (BMI), which were categorized and analyzed using WHO reference standard. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS version 23.0. The results revealed that 33.9% of traders were within the age of 18-29 years. The highest level of education attained by some (42. 0%) was tertiary education and 14.4% earned above N96,000 monthly. More than half ( 66. l % ) had good nutrition knowledge of the major sources of vitamin A, energy, vitamins and minerals, protein and diets that provide adequate amount of nutrient. The attitudes of the traders towards nutrition showed that 62.8% had excellent attitude. The dietary patterns of the traders indicated that 74.8% took water after meal, 55.9% ate food three times a day, 51. 4% rarely consumed fruit in a week and 63.3% took alcohol every week. The result of the anthropometric status of the traders showed that 42.3% of the traders had normal BMI comprising of 35.8% males and 51.0% females. The chi square test revealed that the highest level of education of the traders significantly (x2=25.021; p=0.015) associated with their nutrition knowledge. Frequency of daily meal intake significantly (x2=26.936; p=0.029) associated with the body mass index (BMI) of the traders. Also, significant (x2= 17.235; p=0.008) (x2= 12.623; p=0.049) associations were found between where food is often eaten, frequency of daily meal intake and waist-hip ratios (WHR) of the male traders. In conclusion, though majority of the traders had good knowledge and attitude towards nutrition, there is still need to increase nutrition awareness, so as to improve the nutrition knowledge of minority that have poor knowledge and attitude towards nutrition.