The Families’ Attitude and Awareness toward Consumption of Milk and Dairy Products in Ardabil, Iran

Background: Infected and unpasteurized dairy is one of the most important ways to transfer zoonotic diseases like Malta fever. In order to prevent this disease, milk and dairy products should be pasteurized. The purpose of this study was to survey the awareness, attitude and people’s function about milk and dairy products consumption in Ardabil, Iran. Methods: In a descriptive randomized study, 300 people who came to health centers of Ardabil, Iran were enrolled. Data collection was undertaken by a questionnaire and analyzed. Results: The correlation between participants’ awareness about milk transmitted diseases and educational level, occupation, milk type and storing time and way of consumption were significant. No significant correlation was noticed between income and amount of milk consumption, disease transmission and method of milk boiling and storing and the boiling time, and educational level, and awareness about benefits of milk. Conclusion: Common way for milk consumption among Ardabil families was drinking and its amount was lower than the recommended amount for each individual. The most important factors affecting milk consumption were educational level and job. It seems that designing and performing some policies and functional programs in order to increase the milk consumption as a culture should be considered.