FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CONFINED PEOPLE IN SELECTED RURAL PRISONS DURING COVID-19
Keywords:
food consumption pattern, nutritional status, confined people, rural prisons, covid-19Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the food consumption pattern and nutritional status of confined persons in selected rural prisons of Ogun State during COVID-19. A total of 208 prisoners were assessed for food consumption pattern and nutritional status and determination of their BMI. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on personal characteristics of prisoners, food consumption pattern, suitability of food served and Body Mass Index (BMI) of prisoners during COVID 19. Results show that the prisoners were between age 24-29years (34.6%), had secondary school education (58.7%), and were single (50.5%). Beans was the most
consumed daily food by inmates with not less than 81.3% of them consuming it as breakfast on Mondays to Saturdays respectively, except for Sundays where 61.5% of the inmates usually consume rice for breakfast. Findings also show that Garri was the most commonly served meal for lunch while Eba was mostly taken for dinner by inmates during COVID 19. Furthermore, 25.6%, 64.2% and 10.2%of the prisoners were underweight, normal weight, and overweight, respectively. It was concluded from this study that foods served to the prisoners were not adequate in terms of quantity, quality and suitability. Most of the respondents were nutritionally
poor, with weakened immune system and therefore predisposed to infectious diseases like COVID-19. It is therefore recommended that foods served should be improved for the prisoners to have better nutritional status and stronger immune system to withstand effects of the COVID-19 disease.