Comportement alimentaire de la population Algérienne au temps de la COVID-19.

Abstract

In order to study the food behavior of the West Algerian population during Covid-19, an observational and descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in Oran, Mostaganem and Relizane provinces on a sample of 240 people of different ages, education levels and social status and negative or positive-Covid-19. A questionnaire was launched between February and May 2021 and targeted the elapsed period of the pandemic between February and September 2020. Our results revealed equitable participation of both genders predominantly, young age (76.7%), single or married status with at least two children. Different professions were recorded among our participants: state (24%), private (9.6%) or liberal (17.5%), but also unemployed (15.4%), students (30%) and retired (3%). Unfortunately, 41 and 44% (p<0.05) of our respondents had a monthly income of less than 10,000 DA and between 10,000 and 50,000 DA respectively. They were also severely affected by the sudden onset of midlife (fear in 27.5%; stress and panic in 60.4%, p<0.05). Half of our participants had declared having had influenza in the period of the study and 54% of them at the beginning of the pandemic, but only 37.53% of them said that it was COVID- 19. Consequently, almost all of our positive patients (95%) automatically followed a treatment protocol (completed or interrupted), while 5% preferred to resort exclusively to traditional medicine. This was the choice of 128/240 or 53.33% (p<0.05) of our respondents, whether or not they were Covid-positive, with or without the parallel use of a complete or interrupted medical treatment. These were the following medicinal plants: thyme (34.1%), cloves (25.2%), eucalyptus (22%) and cinnamon (13.95%). 142/240 of our respondents also made changes in their diet of which 51.25% (p<0.05) positively and 31.25% negatively. In addition, 31.57% of our participants were likely to have followed a particular diet as a preventive measure for COVID-19: 35.51% of which were on a diet based on preparations made exclusively at home. This resulted in a clear change (70.31%) in the Algerian cuisine where we observed that processed foods (3.47%) and modern dishes (5%) made outside the home were low (p>0.05) consumed, while the consumption of vegetables (22.39%), fruits (15.87%) and traditional dishes (11.95%) increased. In addition, 12.67% prepared everything at home, 40.67% (p<0.05) only satisfied for bread, 24.67% for Algerian dishes and 22% for traditional cakes. Another category, however, (50.87%, p<0.05) missed out on out-of-home catering and that 9.86% liked having a delivery service in the wilaya of their residence. The stop of work and the sedentary life, obliged or voluntary, led 41.5% of our participants to be overweight, while a minority was rather inclined to lock themselves up and suffered from anorexia. Pregnant or breastfeeding women were faced with the double burden of breastfeeding their babies while being Covid-positive and the fear of infecting them. This led 35/40 mothers (p<0.05) to stop breastfeeding completely: 3/35 by doctor's order and the rest by personal choice. Indeed, 83.09% (p<0.05) of our participants had suffered from malnutrition. This RESUME study is a first draft in the understanding of the food behavior of Algerians at the time of the pandemic of COVID-19 and could be used effectively in the tracing of strategies of correction and support of the simple citizen.