Knowledge and Practices Related to Food Hygiene among Food Handlers in Sokoto, Nigeria
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2017, Vol 26, Issue 1
Abstract
Introduction: Unsafe food poses global health threats, endangering everyone Vended foods are considered to be a public health hazard because the food handlers are often poor, have poor schooling and lack appreciation for food hygiene practices (particularly in developing countries). However, the restaurants have a large clientele base ranging from the rich to the poor who are exposed to these hazards and thus any outbreak of food borne illnesses could be disastrous. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice related to food hygiene among food handlers in Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 food handlers selected by a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a set of pre-tested interviewer- administered, semi-structured questionnaire, and observer’s checklist. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.14 ± 8.84.years. Most of the respondents were females (82.9%), and a majority of respondents were single (52.5%), and had at least primary education (51.3%). Most, 198 (75.3%) of the 263 respondents had good knowledge of food hygiene, and close to two-thirds 152 (57.8%) had good knowledge of food borne illness. Although a majority of respondents consistently observe food hygiene practices such as covering their nose and mouth while sneezing (86.3%) and cooking food thoroughly (66.5%), compliance with the other food hygiene practices was poor (ranged from 1.1 to 35.4%). The sanitary condition in a substantial proportion of the restaurants was also poor. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge of food hygiene and food borne illnesses among the respondents in this study, they showed poor compliance with food hygiene practices; and the sanitary condition of a substantial proportion of the restaurants was poor. Promotion of good sanitary practices among food handlers and regulation of their practices by the government agencies concerned to ensure compliance with basic sanitary standards were suggested.
Authors and Affiliations
Ahunna Zainab Ezenwoko, Kehinde Joseph Awosan, Mansur Oche Oche, Muhammad Aliyu Makusidi, Bilkisu Gulma Abubakar, Ismail Abdullateef Raji
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP312638
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2017/35728
- Views 51
- Downloads 0
Family Structure and Bonesetter’s Gangrene in Children: A Case Series
Aims: The aim of this case series is to draw attention to the influence of family structure on the patronage of traditional bonesetters and the frequent occurrence of bonesetter’s gangrene in children being raised in the...
Bacterial Profiles Associated With Captive Non-Human Primates in Jos Zoo, Nigeria
Non-human primates (NHPs) are distributed worldwide and have several unique features that may account for opportunistic and pathogenic zoonotic bacteria. Aim: To evaluate the incidence of enteric organisms with zoonotic...
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Human Papilloma Virus among Females in Saudi Arabia
Background: Human Papilloma virus (HPV) (Cervical growth) has overall central dissemination and is observed second most elevated recurrence in females after breast malignancy in a decade ago among developing countries. T...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Gallbladder – An Uncommon Presentation
A 51-year-old male patient presented with pain in the upper right quadrant of abdomen since two months, associated with weight loss and fever. Contrast enhanced computed tomography abdomen revealed gallbladder with wall...
Influence of Rheumatoid Factors and Bilirubin on the Sensitivity of Immunochromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Tests for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B in Cameroon
Aim: We aimed at studying the influence of some potential interference factors on the immunochromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Tests commonly used in Cameroon for the diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Im...