DETERMINANTS OF FISH CONSUMPTION IN OGUN WATERSIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE

Abstract

Fish is an essential animal protein source to food security; this study examined the determinants of fish consumption in Ogun waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State. Iwopin community was purposively selected due to largest fishing activities and random selection of household heads. A total of 84 fishing households were assessed through the use of validated interview guide. Identified fish was measured at nominal level, types of fish consumed were measured at interval level with 3 points Likert-type rating scale and factors influencing the respondents’ consumption were measured at the interval level using a 3-point pentatonic scale using major (3) minor (2) ad not a factor (1) and items were ranked. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, means and regression analysis. The study revealed that 57.1% of the consumer had a mean age of 43 years, 88.1% were male and married (84.5%). Consumers’ income and fish cost were among the high determinant identified for fish consumption and 60.7% of the respondents had high consumption of fish species. Age (ꞵ = 0.535, P < 0.041), consumer income (ꞵ = 0.105, P ≤ 0.002) and occupation (ꞵ = 0.435, P ≤ 0.001) were determinant to fish consumption at 1% and 5% level of significance. The study concluded that the fish species consumption was high, age income and occupation of the respondents positively influenced fish consumption, therefore the study recommended that fish stakeholders should promotes benefits of fish to boost fish consumption