Abstract
Background: Food safety is a public health concern. An adequate supply of safe, wholesome and healthy food is essential to the health and well-being of humans. However food itself can cause a threat for health. People can get sick when they eat food contaminated with hazards, this referred to as food borne disease.
Food borne illness is a major health problem and more prevalent in both developing and developed countries. The toll in terms of human life and suffering is enormous. Thousands millions of people fall ill and may die as a result of eating unsafe food.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess food safety knowledge, Attitude, handling practice and associated factors among food handlers of Restaurants in Asosa town, western Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess food safety knowledge and handling practice of food handlers towards safe food handling from July 2017 to January 2018. Total number of restaurants and food handlers was obtained from trade and industry regional beareue. Food handlers by simple random sampling. One cooker and one waiter will be selected by lottery method from each selected restaurant. Structured and Pretested questionnaire will be developed for the purpose of data collection after reviewing relevant literature and views of professionals in the area. Logistic regression was used to analyze the explanatory variables. And the significance of the statistical association will be assured using OR, 95% C.I and p< 0.05.
Result: The level of knowledge among food handlers in this study was (75.8%). The overall practice of food handlers in Asosa town was (67.8%) and the factors that are associated with food safety practice of food handlers are: educational status AOR 3.40(1.90-6.08), Regular Supervision by concerned body AOR 7.25(3.83 13.65), ever had certificate in food safety/hygiene practice AOR 5.28(1.40-19.79) were found to be significantly associated with food safety practice.
This study will have a significant input, in the formulation of appropriate strategy, to modify and facilitate the overall regulatory activity, for program planning and evaluation.
Conclusion: Food safety practice and Knowledge in this group of population was relatively high, but which still needs further intervention.
Citation
Admasu M and Kelbessa W. Food Safety Knowledge, Handling Practice and Associated Factors among Food Handlers of Hotels/Restaurants in Asosa Town, North Western Ethiopia. SM J Public Health Epidemiol. 2018; 4(2): 1051.