PRELIMINARY STUDY ON CHEESE CONSUMPTION PATTERN AMONGST RESIDENTS OF OYO TOWN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Cheese is a popular snack that is eaten by many in Oyo town of Oyo state. However, the preferences of consumption in terms of quantity, benefits and disadvantages of consumption were different in the study area. A total of 100, respondents were randomly selected from whom information such as socio-economic characteristics and consumption pattern of cheese were elicited. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from the respondents. A multistage sampling was adopted with the study area divided into three in the first stage while 30 questionnaires were administered to respondents in Oyo East and Oyo West LGAs each and 40 in Atiba LGA. Collected data were processed and subjected to descriptive analysis using frequency counts and percentages. The results indicated that majority of the cheese consumers were male (58%) and within the age range of 40-59 (40%). Also, majority of the respondents were traders (46%) and with a household 6-10 (40%). The results also showed that majority (38%) of the respondents consumed cheese at least once per week. All the respondents also stated that cheese consumption had benefits which included good nutrition (96%) and good flavour (4%). Also, 10% of the respondents indicated that cheese consumption had some disadvantages which included, body hitching (40%) and cough (20%).