Awareness and utilization of “Sobo” (Hibiscus sabdariffa-roselle) by farm families in Aniocha north local government area of Delta state, Nigeria

Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is known for its numerous health and medicinal benefits. “Sobo” is an indigenous non-alcoholic drink made from hot extract of Roselle calyces and consumed in Savannah and semi-arid region of Africa. This study assessed awareness and utilization of sobo among farm families in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select a sample of 140 farm families who responded to a 22-item interview schedule that was used for data collection. Relevant data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis such as mean, percentage, pooled mean and ranking. Among others, it was found that about 91.4% of the respondents were aware of sobo drink. Friends and neighbours were the sources of information on sobo to about 73.6% of the respondents while only 9.3% got the information from Extension Agents. While about 31.4% of respondents do not utilize sobo at all, majority of those who do (43.6%) are doing so at a low rate of one (1) time per week. The major constraints that farmers are facing relates to preparation of sobo. It was recommended that extension activities should be invigorated, with a view to closing the gap in farmers’ knowledge about several health and medicinal benefits of sobo and how to prepare it. Campaign should be mounted to encourage farmers to utilize sobo on a higher than the observed 1-2 times per week and at the expense of carbonated soft drinks with it usual high sugar content. Further investigations to increase the shelve life of sobo and to ascertain quantities that are optimal for various age ranges in the farm families should be carried out.Key words: Health, Nutrition, Utilization, “Sobo” drink, Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariff