Behavioural patterns related to the marine fish consumption- An analysis of coastal belt households, Noakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract

Marine fish is a major source of Omega-3 fatty acids (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA andDocosahexaenoic acid, DHA), which are now recognized worldwide as a key factor in human health. Thepresent study was conducted to depict the status of marine fish consumption in three districts (namely Feni,Lakhsmipur, and Noakhali) of greater Noakhali district, Bangladesh using a questionnaire survey in 240households during the month of May-June, 2018. Almost all the households (96%; n=230) consumed marinefishes. Price, availability, presence of inter-muscular bones, and characteristic fishy smell were the majorbarriers to marine fish consumption in the studied area. The average quantity of fresh and dried marine fishconsumed was 53.35 g/capita/day and 3.71 g/capita/day, respectively in greater Noakhali. Marine fresh fishconsumption in the three districts differed significantly (p<0.001). The highest (80.20±32.72 g) and thelowest (40.02±27.90 g) amount of marine fresh fish consumption were observed respectively, in Lakhsmipurand Feni district and the highest (4.19±7.47 g) and the lowest (3.47±4.87 g) amount of dried marine fishconsumption were observed respectively, in Feni and Noakhali district. About 32% of consumers consumedmarine fresh fish 3 to 6 times in a week whereas 46% of consumers consumed dried fish once in a month.Consumers belonging to high-income households consume more marine fish (57.11 g) than the low-incomehouseholds (49.33 g). Harpadon nehereus, Tenualosa ilisha, Otolithes cuvieri, Polynemous paradiseus, Mugilcephalus, Oxyurichthys microlepis, and Sillago domina were among the most frequently consumed marinefishes in the studied areas. About 76% of respondents perceived eating marine fish was good for health.Increased availability, lower price and creating awareness on health benefits may lead to increasing marinefish consumption among local people in the region.