Health Risks Associated with Consumption of Fast Foods: Perspectives of Traders in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Consumption of fast foods is increasing globally and may be linked to significant public health problems associated with both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Objective: This study assessed knowledge and perception of potential health risk of fast food consumption among traders in Kano, and identified the commonly vended foods and drinks in Kano.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to study 390 selected traders using a two staged sampling technique. Data was collected using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.
Results: The mean± SD age of the traders was 39±12.5 years with a range of 18-68 years. Most of the traders (88.6%) were greater than 24 years of age, majority were males (90.5%) with (97.6%) having formal education. About three-quarter (77.5%) had adequate knowledge of health risk, while (77.3%) had wrong perception. Commonly vended foods were fried chicken and red meat among  others. Marital status {AOR=0.6, 95% CI= (0.2-1.5)} and duration in business {AOR=4.4, 95% CI= (2.3-8.4)} were independent predictors of knowledge, while tribe {AOR=2.4, 95% CI= (1.5-3.9)} was found to be an independent predictor of perception of health risk associated with fast food consumption among the traders.
Conclusion: Traders had adequate knowledge of health risk but wrong perception on the health implication of fast food consumption. Government should put in place policies and enforcements that will ensure sustained education of traders on the health risk of fast food consumption.

Keywords: Knowledge, perception, fast food, health risk