Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
PLoS One. 2024 May 20;19(5):e0299668. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299668. eCollection 2024.
COVID-19 has spread and developed into a pandemic disease, forcing countries to impose challenging protocols and lockdowns. This study assessed shopping, food consumption behavior, and feelings in Jordan and several Arab countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional web-based survey among the Middle East population was conducted using an online questionnaire between July and September 2022. Participants were requested to answer a standardized and validated structured questionnaire. Demographic information, shopping behavior information, and mental health data were requested. A total of 542 respondents were included in the study. During COVID-19 quarantine, participants (68.6%) reported decreased shopping frequency and buying more food than usual (37.5%). Cereals and legumes were the primary food types stored by participants (76.9%). Multiple logistic regression revealed the age of the participant as a significant factor affecting storing of food (being ≤ 25 years old (OR = 0.456, p value = 0.038)). 75.7% of female participants eat less frequently in restaurants than usual. In contrast, among males, 48.5% reported that they eat at restaurants less frequently than usual. The country of residency and gender were the significant factors affecting negative feelings and emotions. Participants in countries other than Jordan had a higher negative feeling score (Beta = 0.086, p value = 0.042). Furthermore, females had a higher negative feeling score (Beta = -0.128, p value = 0.003) as the negative feelings score for females was 3.58 (SD = 5.443). On the other hand, it was 2.10 (SD = 5.091) for males. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered Jordanians' attitudes, shopping, and food consumption habits. Although positive behaviors have improved, such as shopping less frequently, eating home-cooked meals, and dining with family, frequent snacking and food storage have increased. Finally, public awareness of shopping and food consumption habits should be promoted.
新冠疫情已蔓延并发展成为一种大流行病，迫使各国实施具有挑战性的协议和封锁。本研究评估了 COVID-19 大流行期间在约旦和一些阿拉伯国家的购物、食品消费行为和感受。2022 年 7 月至 9 月期间，使用在线问卷在中东人口中进行了一项横断面网络调查。要求参与者回答标准化和验证的结构化问卷。请求提供人口统计学信息、购物行为信息和心理健康数据。共有 542 名受访者参加了这项研究。在 COVID-19 隔离期间，参与者（68.6%）报告购物频率降低，购买的食物比平时多（37.5%）。谷物和豆类是参与者储存的主要食物类型（76.9%）。多变量逻辑回归显示，参与者的年龄是影响储存食物的重要因素（≤ 25 岁（OR = 0.456，p 值 = 0.038））。75.7%的女性参与者比平时在餐厅吃得少。相比之下，在男性中，48.5%的人表示他们比平时在餐厅吃得少。居住国和性别是影响负面感受和情绪的重要因素。除约旦以外的国家的参与者负面感受评分更高（Beta = 0.086，p 值 = 0.042）。此外，女性的负面感受评分更高（Beta = -0.128，p 值 = 0.003），因为女性的负面感受评分为 3.58（SD = 5.443）。另一方面，男性的评分是 2.10（SD = 5.091）。COVID-19 大流行改变了约旦人的态度、购物和食品消费习惯。尽管积极的行为有所改善，例如购物频率降低、在家做饭、与家人一起用餐，但频繁吃零食和储存食物的情况有所增加。最后，应提高公众对购物和食品消费习惯的认识。
