Food Hygiene Practices and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers Working in Food Establishments in the Bole Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Consumers’ health would be at risk unless food preparation and handling hygiene is ensured by food establishments. Literature indicates that poor food handling and sanitation practices are more common among food handlers in developing countries resulting in food-borne illness. Hence, food handlers can play a significant role in ensuring food hygiene. To this end, the paper aims to assess the level of food hygiene practices and its associated factors of food handlers working in food establishments in Bole sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

Through across-sectional study design, a total of 394 food handlers selected randomly from food establishments have participated in the study. The data were collected between July and December 2017, through interview and observation. Percentage, cross tabulations, and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data.

Results

The findings show that among 394 study subjects only 27.4% (i.e., 108 food handlers), were found to have good food hygiene practices. In other words, majority of food handlers observed were poor in maintaining food hygiene. Food hygiene practices were highly influenced by level score of favorable attitude (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.93, 7.87), extensive knowledge towards food hygiene (AOR= 3.33, 95% CI= 1.93, 5.76) and availability of water storage equipment at food establishments (AOR= 2.67, 95% CI= 1.38, 5.15).

Conclusion

Food handlers had poor food hygiene practices in the study area. Shortages of a continuous water supply at food establishments, poor knowledge, and unfavorable attitude of food handlers towards food hygiene practice were all contributing factors associated with poor food hygiene practice. However, these can be improved through health education programs and environmental health services, such as periodic inspections, effective enforcement of food safety regulations, and enhancing the capacity of food hygiene regulators.

Keywords:

• food hygiene
• food handlers
• Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank University of Gondar, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, and Addis Ababa Regional Health Bureau for their ethical approval and valuable comments on research project. In general study participants and Bole Sub-city Administration offices are thankful for their cooperation during data collection.

Data Sharing Statement

The data sets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author and will submit on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Consent

Study protocol was approved by joint Ethical Review Board of Addis Continental Institute of Public Health and University of Gondar. Similarly, the ethical clearance was obtained from Ethic and Research committee established under Addis Ababa Regional Health Bureau. In addition, Permission was obtained from Bole sub-city administration, Bole sub-city health office, and all Woreda administration. The verbal informed consent was accepted and approved by the institutions mentioned above. A verbal informed consent was obtained from each study participant after the purpose of study was explained for them. The data collectors informed them that thet information obtained was not disclosed to any third party. Study participants who were not volunteer to continue from the beginning or at any moment of the interview were respected to do so. Privacy and strict confidentiality were maintained during the interview process. Name and personal identifiers of participants had not been included in order to maintain anonymity.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

All authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors had no funding support or funding to report.