Assessment of household kitchen equipment: factors influencing its acquisition and its impact on food consumption in Osun State of Nigeria

Abstract

Women in Nigeria are faced with drudgery during food preparation. The acquisition of modern kitchen equipment (MKE) can help in reducing this problem. The study was carried out to investigate the factors influencing the acquisition of household kitchen equipment (KE). Data were collected from users in Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas of Osun State using questionnaires as well as interviews and observations. Quantitative analysis was undertaken using the SPSS computer package. The results showed that acquisition of MKE is influenced by socio-economic factors such as age, marital status, income, occupation, educational level and place of residence. The acquisition of MKE was higher among respondents in the age group 31–50 years. Monogamous families have more MKE than polygamous homes. Acquisition of MKE is higher among respondents with tertiary and secondary education. More MKE is also acquired by respondents earning above N4,000.00. Respondents in urban areas possessed more MKE than those in rural areas. The study also revealed that the type of KE acquired affects the food consumption pattern of respondents. Respondents having high- and medium-class KE eat more protein foods and more regularly than others. The policy implications of the results both at domestic and national levels are discussed.