ASSESSING THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE STUDENTS’ PREFERENCE FOR MEALS IN AKENTEN APPIAH-MENKA UNIVERSITY OF SKILLS TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT, KUMASI CAMPUS, SCHOOL CANTEEN GHANA
ASSESSING THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE STUDENTS’ PREFERENCE FOR MEALS IN AKENTEN APPIAH-MENKA UNIVERSITY OF SKILLS TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT, KUMASI CAMPUS, SCHOOL CANTEEN GHANA
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Date
2022-12
Authors
CECILIA ACHIENEMAH MENSAH
7201180056
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Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the specific meal preference and factors that influence the meal preferences of university students on AAMUSTED Kumasi campus canteen. The population of the study comprised of 50 students who were sampled using random and convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 50 eligible students completed the survey. Cronbach alpha was used to determine the reliability of the instrument which yielded 0.76 coefficients. The data collected was analysed using mean statistics. The questionnaire administered by respondents was recorded and coded. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS, version 17.0) as well as Microsoft Excel was used to analyse the importance of specific variables on the food preferences of participants to obtain descriptive statistics mainly in the form of frequencies distributions, percentages, means T-test and factor analysis. The findings reveal majority of students (40.0%) both male and female choose Millet porridge and koose as their specific breakfast meal preferred to other breakfast meals served at the AAMUSTED school canteen. Both genders prefer Kenkey, hot pepper and fish for lunch and supper among the various lunch and dinner meals offered at the school canteen. With regards to meal preferences and reason for choice, the males prefer soup-based meals whiles the females prefer the stew-based meals. The most preferred meal by both gender is Kenkey, hot pepper and fish and their main reason for eating this meal is because of its hygienic condition as compared to other meals served at the canteen. Other reasons for this preference are the taste and price of the meal. The study also revealed that the most factor influencing students’ meal preferences is the price of meals followed by the quality of the meal. 44.0% of the students averagely are satisfied with prices of meals at the canteen whiles 16.0% are unsatisfied with the prices of meal. More than 30.0% of students perceived the quality of meals at the school canteen as good whiles 14.0% perceived the quality as poor. Respondents suggested that the canteen should have Wi Fi connections and washrooms as additional services. Based on these results, the study recommended among other things that, canteen food vendors should continue to provide meal varieties at affordable price to increase student’s patronage. In addition, proper pricing strategies should be encouraged for overall improvement and sustainability of the canteen food vendors businesses in AAMUSTED Kumasi campus, and they should improve on their environments, services, and food.