Abstract

Dr. Stephen Monday*, Prof. H. K. Sidhu, Shu-Achet Daniel Gimbason, Marche Saygee Toh

ABSTRACT

Background: Refined vegetable oil is an everyday food source and staple cooking ingredient for low-income communities in Monrovia, Liberia. However, several previously identified behaviors, including frequent reheating and using certain types of oil, combined with possible poorer storage and reheating practices have many potential health impacts. Understanding how households perceive and behave when using refined vegetable oil is essential for designing effective public health interventions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in Montserrado County, Liberia. Data were obtained from 350 Cold Bowl (KoBo) shops, using a structured questionnaire collected via mobile data collection tools. The survey collected data on socio-demographic factors, frequency of purchasing refined vegetable oil, reuse of oil, awareness of health risks, and health symptoms reported. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the data, and multiple linear regressions were used to identify associations between oil consumption behaviors and health symptoms self-reported. Results: High rates of oil consumption frequency and frequent oil reuse were exhibited by respondents. Findings from a regression analysis indicated frequency of oil consumption (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and oil reuse (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of increased health symptom scores, whereas increased awareness about health risk was a significant inverse predictor (β = – 0.18, p = 0.002). Self-reported symptoms included gastrointestinal distress, chronic tiredness, and skin issues. Conclusion: Unsafe consumption of refined vegetable oil practices is widespread among low income households in Monrovia, with association to measurable health symptoms. Health education and health programmes to encourage safe oil uses and compounds of awareness could offer less risk of health impact.