An Analytical Study of Consumption Pattern of Rice and Pasta Within Low-Income Families in Al-Ahsa Province, Saudi Arabia

(Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al Naeem)

---

Abstract

The research aims to study the consumption pattern of rice and pasta within low-income families in province of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. In addition, it aims to determine the impact of some economic and social characteristics such; as family size, family income, household head s sex, and several other variables on the average consumed commodities quantity. The study relied on a random sample represented in 153 families relying heavily on the support of the charities. Among these families, 102 families reside in urban areas and 51 families in the villages. The result of Two-Way ANOVA showed that there is no statistical significant differences for the average monthly per capita consumption of rice between villagers and urban areas according to household head s sex, age, level of education, job type and desirability to receive pasta as Zakat Fetr) *(. Meanwhile, significant differences appeared in the average monthly per capita consumption of rice due to family size Categories. With regard to pasta, the results of Two-Way ANOVA revealed statistically insignificant differences for the average monthly per capita consumption of pasta according to household head s age and his work type. Statistical differences emerged due to household head s sex, his level of education and his desirability to receive Pasta as Zakat Fetr. The quantitative analysis of the impact of social characteristics on rice consumption indicated that three factors affected rice consumption in urban households namely; family size, household head s sex and home type. With regard to rural families, two variables affected rice consumption, namely, family size and the willingness of the household head to receive pasta as Zakat Fetr. The results of the study confirmed that two factors, family size and the desire to receive the pasta as Zakat Fetr, affect the consumption of pasta in urban households. Family size had statistical significant effect on pasta consumption of urban households. However, no significant evidence for other variables effect on such character. Key Words: Al-Ahsa, low-income families, pasta consumption, Rice consumption, Zakat Feter.
PDF

References