Food hygiene knowledge, practices of vendors and consumers handling behaviour of street food in the Sagnarigu municipality

Abstract

The operations of street food vendors have increased in the Ghanaian community, especially in the urban areas. The study was conducted to assess food hygiene knowledge, practices of vendors and consumers handling behaviour of street food in the Sagnarigu Municipality. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for this research. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample food vendors and consumers. The results revealed that, respondents’ knowledge concerning food hygiene practices at the study setting was moderate. The mean score for washed hands properly after urinating are 3.31±1.43, 3.31±1.79, 5.28±.849 and 3.31±1.43. Also, the mean score for participants ever been screened before by medical team are 0.0±0.0, 3.20±1.16, 3.36±1.19 and 5.28±.849. The results also showed that, the mean score for study participants wearing a scarf before serving food 4.7±3.4, 3.36±1.19, 0.0±0.0 and 5.28±.849. The findings also showed that, study participants who used a grinding stone for grinding were 7.22±1.19, 0.0±0.0, 3.44±1.19 and 0.0±0.0. It was showed that, the averages of consumers who washed their hands before eating food were; 3.63±1.05, 4.05±1.49 and 3.92±1.38. Consumers were also adhering to food safety precautions. The researcher recommends that the media should be used to educate the public about food safety measures at the study setting.