Cultural Factors And Consumption Of Pork In Nigeria

Cultural factors are examined to see how they affect the purchase of pork in Nigeria. Data for the study are obtained through structured questionnaire administered by the researcher and some research assistants. A total of 82 questionnaires are administered out of which 70 are duly filled and returned. Tools used for statistical analysis include Statistical Package for Social Sciences. SPSS 17, Microsoft Excel (2015), Multiple Regression Analysis and Relative Important Index (RII). Findings reveal that cultural variables exert significant influences on the purchase and consumption of pork. The study also found that aside from the cultural factors, age and income also affect the quantity of pork purchased and consumed. Based on these findings the study concludes that cultural factors, age and income influence the quantity of pork purchased and consumed. The study then recommends that these factors should not be taken for granted, rather they should be identified and studied since purchase and consumption of pork are based on them.

According to the 3,000 year old Cofucian Book of Rites, Agentieman does not eat the flesh of pigs and dogs. Also, physicians of ancient China see pork eating as the root of many human ailments even though many Chinese are avid eaters of pork today. Apart from religious reasons, pork consumption also suffers because of its bad effect. It is reported in literature that pigs bodies contain many toxins, worms and latent diseases in larger proportions than are found in other animals. One reason attributed to this is the fact that pigs like to scavenge and will eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, rotting carcasses, excreta, garbage, and other pigs. Also humans are said to contract influenza (flu) from pigs. The illment is said to develop in the lungs of pigs during the summer months and contracted when consumed by