Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Herat University Students Regarding Fast Food
A Cross-sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61438/sarj.v2i1.148Keywords:
knowledge, attitude, practices, fast food, studentsAbstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Herat University students regarding fast food consumption and identify sociodemographic factors linked to unhealthy dietary behaviors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from March to September 2024 surveyed 415 students through stratified random sampling. Data was gathered using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and KAP components. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed via Likert-scale items, while practices were measured based on fast-food consumption frequency. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and associations were evaluated using chi-square tests (p<0.05).
Results: Most participants were aged 22–25 (61.9%), single (67.2%), and enrolled in nonmedical faculties (86.5%). Most had a normal BMI (65.8%) and came from middle (36.6%) or poor (36.9%) economic backgrounds. Awareness of fast-food risks was high, with 77.6% identifying obesity and 68.9% liver disease as outcomes. However, only 56.6% identified solid oil as most harmful. Positive attitudes were observed, with 56.1% preferring traditional food and 72.3% viewing fast food as unsuitable for children. Unhealthy practices included regular sausage consumption (47.0%) and frequent soft drink intake (30.6%). Knowledge, attitude, and practices were influenced by rural residency, economic status, and academic level.
Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and attitudes, unhealthy fast-food practices persist among Herat University students. Sociodemographic factors influence these behaviors, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions and improved campus food environments.
References
[1] Mahbobi Rad M, Mazloomy Mahmoodabad SS, Asadpoor M, Vaezi A, Fallahzadeh H, Zareei Mahmoodabadi H. Assessment of University Students’ attitude towards fast food consumption Based on the Prototype/Willingness model: A qualitative study in southeast Iran, Rafsanjan. Int J Ayurvedic Med 2020;11:70–5. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v11i1.1323.
[2] Hassan A, Ali S, El Magrabi N. Knowledge and Attitudes of Students toward Fast Food in Assiut University. Assiut Sci Nurs J 2021;9:65–75. https://doi.org/10.21608/asnj.2021.62343.1127.
[3] - TYQ, - ARBH, - MBHA, - KSAG, - FSBA. Study on Relationship of Socio Demographic, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Fast Food Intake among University of Cyberjaya Medical Students. Int J Multidiscip Res 2024;6:20609. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i03.20609.
[4] Man Hong L, Yee Ming K. Empirical Study on Factors Related Attitudes on Fast-Food Consumption among University Students in Malaysia. JMK J Manaj Dan Kewirausahaan 2023;8:219. https://doi.org/10.32503/jmk.v8i3.4156.
[5] Makki A, Hamdan H. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of High Secondary Schools Students towards Fast Foods in Hail City- Saudi Arabia. Int J Innov Res Dev 2016;5.
[6] Akhter MstM. Consumer Attitude toward Fast Food Consumption: A Study on University Students in Dhaka City. Asian J Humanity Art Lit 2019;6:21–32. https://doi.org/10.18034/ajhal.v6i1.346.
[7] Gaikwad S, Asokan D, Mall A, Sharma S, Pardeshi G. Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Fast-Food Consumption Among The Undergraduate Nursing Students Of A Tertiary-Level Hospital. Int J Sci Res 2024:22–4. https://doi.org/10.36106/ijsr/8209230.
[8] At P, Dane S. Attitude Towards Fast Food Consumption Among Students in a Private Nigerian University by Gender, Academic Level, and Marital Status. J Res Med Dent Sci 2020;8:248–52.
[9] Ballew B. Variations in Fast Food Habits Between Males and Females at Grand Valley State University 2014.
[10] Pratheepkumar S, Laith Hamdan, Isa Khashiev, Jayadevan Sreedharan. Practice of Fast Food Consumption among University Students and Variables Associated with the Practice. J Med Health Stud 2023;4:06–13. https://doi.org/10.32996/jmhs.2023.4.5.2.
[11] Anwar A. Fast Food Taking Status among East West University Students 2017.
[12] Melpita MR, Faridah A, Yuliana Y, Holinesti R. Fast Food Consumption Behavior of Culinary Science Students at Padang State University. J Pendidik Tata Boga Dan Teknol 2024;6:1. https://doi.org/10.24036/jptbt.v6i1.26747.
[13] Mahbobi Rad M, Pour Pasandi A, Khajani N, Sadeghi R. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences Students Concerning Fast Food. Health Dev J 2023;11:156–61. https://doi.org/10.34172/jhad.92352.
[14] Khongrangjem T, Dsouza SM, Prabhu P, Dhange VB, Pari V, Ahirwar SK, et al. A study to assess the knowledge and practice of fast food consumption among Pre-University students in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health 2018;6:172–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2017.11.003.
[15] Alfahied F, Sami W, Altowyan Y. Fast Food Consumption among University Students , Saudi Arabia : A Cross Sectional Study. Majmaah J Health Sci 2015;3:20–5. https://doi.org/10.12816/0032881.
[16] Parvin S, Kabir R, Parsa AD, Sivasubramanian M. An Investigation into the Fast-Food Consumption Habits of Public Health and Nursing Students at the University of Sunderland in London, UK. Libyan Int Med Univ J 2023;08:063–9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1776398.
[17] Sadeghi S, Azadi NA, Vakili B, Mahdavi P. Student’s characteristics and fast food consumption. Chronic Dis J 2019;7. https://doi.org/10.22122/cdj.v7i1.379.
[18] Dimani HA, Hapuarachchi T. Fast Food Consumption Habits of University Students in Sri Lanka. Int J Multidiscip Res 2024;6:16090. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i02.16090.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Salamat Academic & Research Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
