Evaluation of Plant-Based Protein Consumption among Rural Households in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated plant-based protein consumption among rural households in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. The plant-based protein sources studied include soya bean, cowpea, Bambara nut, pigeon pea and black beans. Data were collected from 120 out of 18,989 households in the study area using a stratified random sampling technique. Data for the study was collected using a questionnaire and oral interview. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data generated from the respondents. The result showed that the consumption rate of plant-based protein sources was encouraging as a majority of the respondents consumed Bambara beans (okpa) with a daily consumption of 35%, followed by cowpea (black-eyed beans) with a daily
consumption of 26.66%. Many (53.33%) of the respondents spent above ₦31,000 in the consumption of plant-based protein sources monthly indicating that they spend reasonably in their consumption of plant-based protein. Constraints encountered by the respondents in the consumption of plant-based protein include a lack of knowledge about the nutritional benefits of plant protein and the household size of the respondents. It is recommended that agricultural extension agents, health workers and nutritional policymakers should intensify efforts in public enlightenment to rightly inform rural households of the health benefits of plant-based protein foods, as this will help to increase its availability and thereby strengthen their consumption.