Food Safety Practices and Associated Factors among Food Handlers of Fiche Town, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background. Foodborne diseases remain a major public health problem globally, but the problem is severe in developing countries like Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess food safety practices and associated factors among food handlers of Fiche town. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 food handlers working in food and drink establishments. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and observational checklist. Data were entered and coded into SPSS for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the predictor variables associated with the practice of food handlers ( p < 0.05 ). Result. 61.6% of food handlers knew the potential risk of contaminating food with dirty hands, and 70% washed hands with soap before working with food. 52.8% of food handlers covered the hair with restraints. 66.8% of food handlers used outer garments, and the majority of food handlers (71.1%) had a trimmed fingernail. Two hundred thirteen (50.5%) of food handlers had good food handling practices. Medical checkup (AOR = 3.16; 95% CI 1.89, 5.26), sanitary inspection (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.16, 2.69), knowledge (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.53, 3.48), service year (AOR = 3.11; 95% CI 1.53, 6.31), and educational status (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI 1.29, 9.04) were found to be significantly associated with food handling practices. Conclusion. The food handlers should take various training concerning food hygiene and safety to enhance their knowledge and practice. Regular sanitary inspection of food and drink establishments is recommended.

Food Safety Practice and Its Associated Factors among Meat Handlers in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

“…The odds of food safety practice were 4.27 times higher among meat handlers who had greater than five years of experience than those who had less than two years' experience (AOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 2.34-9.85). The present finding is supported by a study conducted in food and drink establishments in Fiche town [ 31 ]. The possible explanation could be that experienced food handlers may have better knowledge and skills regarding food handling practice.…”

“…[ 14 ], and Teferi et al . [ 31 ]. Thus, managers/owners of butcher shops should enforce the requirement of having all meat handlers examined every year for health certificates.…”

Food hygiene practices and determinants among food handlers in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…After excluding 186 articles, a total of 56 full-text articles were screened for eligibility based on the pre-set criteria, and 33 articles were excluded. Finally, 23 eligible articles were included in the meta-analysis [ 33 – 38 , 41 – 57 ] (Fig. 1 ).…”

“…A total of 7153 study participants were included in the current meta-analysis to estimate the pooled proportion of good food hygiene practices among food handlers. Regarding the regional distribution of the included studies, twelve (12) studies were from the Amhara region [ 36 – 38 , 42 – 44 , 47 , 51 – 55 ] and six from Oromia [ 33 – 35 , 49 , 56 , 57 ], two from Addis Ababa [ 41 , 50 ], two from the Tigray region [ 45 , 48 ], One from the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) [ 46 ], and one from Somali region [ 34 ] (Table 1 ).…”

“…8 ). Four studies [ 37 , 43 , 44 , 57 ] were considered to indicate the association between good food hygiene practice and educational status food handlers. The odds of having good food hygiene practice were higher among food handlers who had formal education in relation to those who had no formal education (POR = 4.60, 95% CI: 3.05, 6.93).…”