Abstract

Increase in food borne infection has been linked with the lack of knowledge of food borne infection (FBI) and poor food safety practice (FSP) of food handlers. This is a major determinant of the kind of patronage received by local restaurants and fast food restaurants. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge of FBI and FSP of local food handlers in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. Four hundred and seventy three local food handlers (snacks and cooked food handlers) were recruited for the study. Interviewer’s administered questionnaire was used to gather information on knowledge and practice and a score index was then created. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Frequencies, percentages, Chi square and correlations were done. The results revealed that majority (66.4%) of the respondents were female and 17.0% food handlers had no formal education. Majority (84.5%) of the respondents earned below N30,000.  About 41.6% food handlers had poor knowledge FBI. Only 7.6% respondents had adequate knowledge.  Also, 31.5% respondents had poor FSP. Educational qualification of respondents had a significant relationship with their knowledge of FBI (P=0.001) and it also significantly affected their FSP (P=0.0011). Furthermore, monthly income of respondents did not affect the practice of FSP (P=0.216) and the type of outlet of respondents had no significant effect on FSP (P=0.654). Knowledge of FBI and FSP of food handlers have a poor correlation coefficient (r<0.24).  The knowledge of FBI among food handlers is adequate, but this does not translate into practice.

Key words: Food vendors, food borne infection, food safety practices, knowledge score, disease outbreak, hygiene, micro-organism.