Pages: (45-61 )
Abstract
Food is important for human survival. Food handling practices, preparation and storage play a huge role in how safe the food will be at the point of consumption. Imroper food handling practices are the cause of many foodborne diseases worldwide. Such diseases have become an increasing public health problem in developing nations and developed nations. This study, therefore, assessed knowledge and attitude as
predictors of environmental sanitation among food vendors in Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State. Total sampling method was used in selecting 186 respondents for this study. The respondents included all food vendors that are registered under the environmental and water sanitation unit. The instrument for this study was a well-structured questionnaire and data obtained from the questionnaire were coded,
using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for analysis. Inferential statistics such as logistic regression and Pearson correlation test were also used to check for association. The level of significance used was 0.05. The result of the study revealed that most of the respondents were between the ages of 35 and 44. It also revealed tha majority of the respondents were married and that
majority of them were Christians. The respondents’ level of knowledge measured on a 9-point rating scale showed that the respondents scored a mean of 8.58±1.40 which translated to a level of knowledge prevalence of 95.1%. The proportion of the respondents with high knowledge was (97.1%). The respondents with attitudinal disposition towards food safety practices measured on a 30-point rating
scale showed that the respondents scored a mean of 18.73±5.06 which translated to attitudinal prevalence of 62.4%. Most of the respondents (86.5%) had only moderate attitudinal disposition towards food safety practices. Absolute cooperation and unrelenting sensitization need to take place between health workers/sanitation officers and food vendors. Food vendors should be made to understand that their knowledge of safety practices has to translate to good practices and also reflect in their attitude. Safety measures where the respondents are deficient need to be taken seriously. Also, amenities such as potable water and aprons should be made available to the vendors at affordable costs.
Keywords: Attitude, Environmental sanitation, Food vendors, Knowledge.,