ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of awareness and utilization of consumer information for purchase decision by Home Economics students in Colleges of Education in Delta State. To achieve this purpose, five research questions and four hypotheses were formulated. The population for the study consisted of all full time students of Home Economics Department in Colleges of Education, Delta State, whichare307 students. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. The sample for the study consists of all full time students of Home Economics Department in Colleges of Education, Delta State. The Assessment of Awareness and Utilization of Consumer Information on Purchase Decision by Home Economics students’ Questionnaire (AAUCIPDHESQ) was constructed and validated. It was made up of two main parts. The part one contained information on the demographic variables. The part two of the questionnaire was designed on a 4-point scale and was divided into 5 sections to collect data. The data were analysed using mean scores and standard deviation, and z-test, at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that Home Economic students in colleges of education have some level of awareness about consumer information, which includes awareness on the importance of consumer information like price, size, weight, gram/kg etc., consumer information as a means of judging the equity of products, and consumer information as means of enlightenment. The findings also showed that consumer uses consumer information in purchasing electrical equipment, washing materials, food items, drinks and carbonated drinks, clothing, garments and bags. It was therefore recommended amongst others that consumer education training and retraining should be carried out through seminars and workshops by Home Economics teachers and Consumer Education Programme for the students through formal and informal means would be effective in creating Consumer Awareness.