Population preferences for sources that offers information about dietary fibres health effects - an international cross-sectional survey

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association Vol. 69; no. 7; pp. 985 - 990
• Main Authors: Mihai, Georgescu Ion, Ancuta, Rus Victoria, Monica, Tarcea, Florina, Ruta, Zita, Fazakas, Raquel, Guine, Costela, Serban, Oana, Iacob, Atilla, Frigy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan Knowledge Bylanes 01-07-2019
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Analysis; Cabinet officials; Chronic diseases; Consumer Behavior; Consumer Health Information; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Fiber; Female; Fibers; Food safety; Health aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion; Humans; Internet; Male; Middle Aged; Ministers (Clergy); Romania; Surveys and Questionnaires; Television; Young Adult; Romania; Dietary fibre, Sources of information, Chronic disease, Internet, Television
• ISSN: 0030-9982

To investigate the perceived importance of information about dietary fibre with regard top opulation socio - demographic characteristics and consumption patterns.
The cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November, 2016, in six different counties and 57 cities across Romania, and was part of a larger project that had nine other countries as well. Data of the Romanian subjects was collected using a validated questionnaire that was disseminated across the 10 countries at the same time. Knowledge about dietary fibre was explored through 10 questions, and the respondents were asked to answer on a 5-point Likert scale varying from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree). SPSS 22 was used for data anaylsis.
Of the 670 subjects, 358 (53.4%) were females, and the overall mean age was 35.81±15.61 years (range: 18-89 years). There were 298 (44.5%) subjects with a university degree, 314(46.9%) had completed high school and 57 (8.5%) had done primary school. Besides, 568 (84.8%) participants lived in an urban environment. Internet was the main source of getting information for 368(54.9%) subjects, while the lowest was hospitals 122 (18.2%). The percentage of correct answers regarding knowledge about health effects of dietary fibre was 23.12%. Most accurate answers were related to deficiency of vitamins and minerals 370 (55.5%), breast cancer 202(30.3%), vision problems 202(30.3%) and diabetes 168 (25.2%). The question with least accurate answer was the one about general preventive characteristics of dietary fibres 65 (9.7%).
A proper and friendly way to transmit information about the importance of dietary fibre consumption is critical in promoting healthy diet patterns and in preventing non-transmissible diseases.