Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study

Dandonougbo Novignon; Souho Tiatou; Dandonougbo Koffi; Sossou Kodjovi; Mensah Labité Komlan; Dandonougbo Tossavi; Tabago Dissirama; Aglago Elom Kouassivi; Melila Mamatchi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study

Dandonougbo Novignon^*

, Souho Tiatou

, Dandonougbo Koffi

, Sossou Kodjovi

, Mensah Labité Komlan

, Dandonougbo Tossavi

, Tabago Dissirama

, Aglago Elom Kouassivi

, Melila Mamatchi

Published in American Journal of BioScience (Volume 14, Issue 5)

Received: 24 September 2026 Accepted: 8 October 2026 Published: 29 October 2026

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Abstract

Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via the KoboToolbox platform. Diet quality was assessed using a composite score based on the consumption of ten food groups. The score ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean of 7.54 ± 1.12 and a median of 8. Participants were classified as having high diet quality (score ≥ 8) or low diet quality (score < 8). Associations between health behaviors and diet quality were examined using bivariate analyses, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression adjusted for key sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A weak but positive association was observed between alcohol consumption and diet quality (r = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.063-0.175; p < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjustment in the multivariate model (β = 0.314; p < 0.001). In contrast, no statistically significant association was found between physical activity and diet quality (r = −0.033; p = 0.256), or between tobacco use and diet quality (r = −0.005; p = 0.853). Conclusion: Among the adults studied in southern Togo, alcohol consumption was weakly associated with better diet quality, whereas physical activity and tobacco use were not significantly associated with the diet quality score. These findings suggest that the health behaviors considered are not necessarily interdependent in this population, and that diet quality may be influenced by other sociodemographic, economic, and cultural determinants. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference.

Published in	American Journal of BioScience (Volume 14, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
Page(s)	131-139
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Diet Quality, Health Behaviors, Physical Activity, Alcohol Consumption, Tobacco Use, Adults, Togo

References

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APA Style

Novignon, D., Tiatou, S., Koffi, D., Kodjovi, S., Komlan, M. L., et al. (2026). Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study. American Journal of BioScience, 14(5), 131-139. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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ACS Style

Novignon, D.; Tiatou, S.; Koffi, D.; Kodjovi, S.; Komlan, M. L., et al. Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study. Am. J. BioScience 2026, 14(5), 131-139. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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AMA Style

Novignon D, Tiatou S, Koffi D, Kodjovi S, Komlan ML, et al. Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study. Am J BioScience. 2026;14(5):131-139. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14,
  author = {Dandonougbo Novignon and Souho Tiatou and Dandonougbo Koffi and Sossou Kodjovi and Mensah Labité Komlan and Dandonougbo Tossavi and Tabago Dissirama and Aglago Elom Kouassivi and Melila Mamatchi},
  title = {Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study},
  journal = {American Journal of BioScience},
  volume = {14},
  number = {5},
  pages = {131-139},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbio.20261405.14},
  abstract = {Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via the KoboToolbox platform. Diet quality was assessed using a composite score based on the consumption of ten food groups. The score ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean of 7.54 ± 1.12 and a median of 8. Participants were classified as having high diet quality (score ≥ 8) or low diet quality (score  Results: A weak but positive association was observed between alcohol consumption and diet quality (r = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.063-0.175; p  Conclusion: Among the adults studied in southern Togo, alcohol consumption was weakly associated with better diet quality, whereas physical activity and tobacco use were not significantly associated with the diet quality score. These findings suggest that the health behaviors considered are not necessarily interdependent in this population, and that diet quality may be influenced by other sociodemographic, economic, and cultural determinants. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study
AU  - Dandonougbo Novignon
AU  - Souho Tiatou
AU  - Dandonougbo Koffi
AU  - Sossou Kodjovi
AU  - Mensah Labité Komlan
AU  - Dandonougbo Tossavi
AU  - Tabago Dissirama
AU  - Aglago Elom Kouassivi
AU  - Melila Mamatchi
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
T2  - American Journal of BioScience
JF  - American Journal of BioScience
JO  - American Journal of BioScience
SP  - 131
EP  - 139
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0167
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
AB  - Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via the KoboToolbox platform. Diet quality was assessed using a composite score based on the consumption of ten food groups. The score ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean of 7.54 ± 1.12 and a median of 8. Participants were classified as having high diet quality (score ≥ 8) or low diet quality (score  Results: A weak but positive association was observed between alcohol consumption and diet quality (r = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.063-0.175; p  Conclusion: Among the adults studied in southern Togo, alcohol consumption was weakly associated with better diet quality, whereas physical activity and tobacco use were not significantly associated with the diet quality score. These findings suggest that the health behaviors considered are not necessarily interdependent in this population, and that diet quality may be influenced by other sociodemographic, economic, and cultural determinants. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference.
VL  - 14
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Dandonougbo Novignon

Department of Food and Biotechnology, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation;Department of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Kara, Kara, Togo

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-3821-8095
Souho Tiatou

Department of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Kara, Kara, Togo

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8288-1643
Dandonougbo Koffi

Department of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Kara, Kara, Togo

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-9892-6907
Sossou Kodjovi

Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2321-0644
Mensah Labité Komlan

Department of Pharmacy, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-9163-6801
Dandonougbo Tossavi

Department of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Kara, Kara, Togo

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-5862-8216
Tabago Dissirama

Department of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Kara, Kara, Togo

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-9818-8247
Aglago Elom Kouassivi

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0442-3284
Melila Mamatchi

Department of Biochemistry, University of Lomé, Lomé, Togo

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8789-2643

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APA Style

Novignon, D., Tiatou, S., Koffi, D., Kodjovi, S., Komlan, M. L., et al. (2026). Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study. American Journal of BioScience, 14(5), 131-139. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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ACS Style

Novignon, D.; Tiatou, S.; Koffi, D.; Kodjovi, S.; Komlan, M. L., et al. Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study. Am. J. BioScience 2026, 14(5), 131-139. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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AMA Style

Novignon D, Tiatou S, Koffi D, Kodjovi S, Komlan ML, et al. Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study. Am J BioScience. 2026;14(5):131-139. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14,
  author = {Dandonougbo Novignon and Souho Tiatou and Dandonougbo Koffi and Sossou Kodjovi and Mensah Labité Komlan and Dandonougbo Tossavi and Tabago Dissirama and Aglago Elom Kouassivi and Melila Mamatchi},
  title = {Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study},
  journal = {American Journal of BioScience},
  volume = {14},
  number = {5},
  pages = {131-139},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbio.20261405.14},
  abstract = {Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via the KoboToolbox platform. Diet quality was assessed using a composite score based on the consumption of ten food groups. The score ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean of 7.54 ± 1.12 and a median of 8. Participants were classified as having high diet quality (score ≥ 8) or low diet quality (score  Results: A weak but positive association was observed between alcohol consumption and diet quality (r = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.063-0.175; p  Conclusion: Among the adults studied in southern Togo, alcohol consumption was weakly associated with better diet quality, whereas physical activity and tobacco use were not significantly associated with the diet quality score. These findings suggest that the health behaviors considered are not necessarily interdependent in this population, and that diet quality may be influenced by other sociodemographic, economic, and cultural determinants. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study
AU  - Dandonougbo Novignon
AU  - Souho Tiatou
AU  - Dandonougbo Koffi
AU  - Sossou Kodjovi
AU  - Mensah Labité Komlan
AU  - Dandonougbo Tossavi
AU  - Tabago Dissirama
AU  - Aglago Elom Kouassivi
AU  - Melila Mamatchi
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
T2  - American Journal of BioScience
JF  - American Journal of BioScience
JO  - American Journal of BioScience
SP  - 131
EP  - 139
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0167
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.14
AB  - Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via the KoboToolbox platform. Diet quality was assessed using a composite score based on the consumption of ten food groups. The score ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean of 7.54 ± 1.12 and a median of 8. Participants were classified as having high diet quality (score ≥ 8) or low diet quality (score  Results: A weak but positive association was observed between alcohol consumption and diet quality (r = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.063-0.175; p  Conclusion: Among the adults studied in southern Togo, alcohol consumption was weakly associated with better diet quality, whereas physical activity and tobacco use were not significantly associated with the diet quality score. These findings suggest that the health behaviors considered are not necessarily interdependent in this population, and that diet quality may be influenced by other sociodemographic, economic, and cultural determinants. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference.
VL  - 14
IS  - 5
ER  -

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