Evaluation of Airtime Usage on the Feeding Pattern of Tertiary Students: A Case Study of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu (FCAI), Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the food consumption patterns of students in the Federal College of Agriculture,Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria and the influence of mobile phone usage, particularly airtimeconsumption, on their dietary habits. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design andemployed stratified sampling techniques to ensure representation across various academicprogrammes (Higher National and National Diploma). Data were collected through a combination ofstructured questionnaires and interviews, allowing for both quantitative and qualitative insights. Atotal of 359 respondents participated in the survey, comprising 55.8% males and 44.2% females.Most of the respondents (80.8%) were single, and a majority (72.5%) identified as Christians. Thedata revealed that mobile phone usage significantly affects students' feeding behaviour, with 74.2%accepting that airtime usage affects their food consumption patterns. The most common pattern ofeating observed was "1-0-1" (one meal in the morning and night), by 49.3% of the respondents. Thiswas attributed to lack of money (49.3%), followed by lack of food availability, time constraints, andinadequate cooking knowledge. Health issues (55.7%), academic performance decline (27.6%), andpsychological stress (16.7%) were reported as reasons for irregular feeding. Airtime was primarilyused for both making calls and buying data (60.7%), indicating a strong digital involvement amongstudents. Interestingly, majority (82.5%) believed that reducing airtime expenses could positivelyimpact their ability to afford better meals. The findings emphasize the relationship between phoneusage and nutrition among students, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such asfinancial literacy, time management education, and food preparation skills to promote healthiereating habits in tertiary institutions.