Consumption of Chicken Products Therein Three Regions of Cameroon: Influencing Factors and Health Risk Perception Associated To the Use of Veterinary Drugs by Farmers

Abstract

The presence of veterinary drugs in poultry products constitutes a potential danger for population health, chicken being one of the most consumed of these products. To assess consumer’s exposure, data on consumption amounts, factors influencing consumption and risk perception for consumers constitute the first step. Therefore, there is a need to have data on chicken consumption, factors influencing and risk perception for consumers. A cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was used to collect information from 905 households in the Center, Littoral and West regions of Cameroon between August 2017 and April 2018. The results showed that per capita consumption of both chicken and eggs per month were 1.2 kg (14.4 kg/ year) and 0.5 kg (6 kg/year) for the Centre, 0.9 kg (10.8 kg/year) and 0.5 kg (6 kg/year) for the Littoral, 0.8 kg (9.6 kg/year) and 0.6 kg (7.2 kg/year) for West regions. Chicken and eggs consumption is determined by household incomes, household member’s number and locality. Only 230 households affirmed to be aware of the usage of chemicals in chicken farming and 220 (95.6%) of them affirmed that chemicals are improper used by farmers. Ninety six households (10.6%) affirmed that all chicken types present the same risk. Consumption of chicken and eggs is good for the body, but great attention should be paid in their origins and to the recommendations for the Food Safety and Ins-pection Services on-line materials during chicken and eggs handling